Special adviser to UK minister Jeremy Hunt resigns

LONDON – The British government says the special adviser to Olympics minister Jeremy Hunt has resigned over his role in Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation's attempted takeover of satellite broadcaster BSKyB.

Adam Smith said Wednesday that he is resigning because he created a perception that News Corporation had "too close a relationship" with the department for culture, media and sport run by Hunt.

His role came to light when emails were released Tuesday to a judge-led inquiry into media ethics.

Hunt has said he did nothing wrong. He is expected to make a statement to the House of Commons later Wednesday.