News Corporation lobbyist Fred Michel insisted he had the "impression" that Jeremy Hunt was aware of details being passed on to him about the BSkyB bid.
Mr Michel said he believed some of the "feedback" he was given by special adviser Adam Smith had been "discussed" with his boss Mr Hunt, the Culture Secretary.
The comments came as Mr Michel gave evidence to the Leveson inquiry over News Corp's attempt to acquire the whole of BSkyB.
Mr Smith, who quit after admitting his contacts with Mr Michel were too close, is due to appear as a witness later.
The lobbyist said he had the "sort of impression that some of the feedback I was being given had been discussed with the Secretary of State before I was given it".
Although he was not given legal advice on the nature of "quasi judicial" ministerial decisions, Mr Michel said he knew he was not meant to have "direct discussions" with the Culture Secretary about the controversial issue.
He said he regarded the extent of contacts with Mr Hunt's special adviser Adam Smith and other officials as "uncharted territory".
"I think we had discussions on the fact that it was very important that the decision rested with the Secretary of State, that it was not appropriate to have direct discussions with the Secretary of State unless they were formal and minuted," he said.
"I was never of the opinion that it was inappropriate to at least try to put the arguments to or make representations to these officers."
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