To protect the endangered creatures, the chief warden at Chitwan has quasi-judicial powers, including the authority to convict and jail alleged poachers for up to 15 years.
The culture secretary said he accepted that the "volume and tone" of emails and text messages sent by Mr Smith "were clearly not appropriate in a quasi-judicial process".
Mr Hunt was meant to be acting in what he himself described as a "quasi-judicial" role in deciding whether the proposed merger should be referred to the Competition Commission for final approval.
Until now, the Welsh Government has always said it cannot say anything on any health proposals because of the quasi-judicial role that ministers potentially have, if plans are referred to them for decision.
From the start, Mr Straw has had the wit to pull his neck like a turtle into the non-political, quasi-judicial role into which home secretaries are sometimes obliged, and often grateful, to retreat.