At the time of giving evidence in 2011, Bailey was Chief Executive of Trinity Mirror publishers, a post to which she was appointed in 2003. Following allegations of hacking, Bailey launched an investigation into the ethics and procedures in place within Mirror Group's publications, she told the Inquiry. In 2012, following substantial drops in circulation and profits, she was asked by Trinity Mirror to resign. During her time at the Mirror, she told the Inquiry in 2011, authorisation of payments, expenses and the costs of pursuing stories were delegated to editors of the Mirror titles. The use of private investigators was banned after the convictions of Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire. She was asked what she would know of stories pre-publication, replying that she would have been told, for example, of a famous model's alleged use of cocaine, or a politician's affair, "so that they would not come as a surprise" to her the next day.
Editor of Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror at time of giving evidence. A promotion later in the same year (2012) made him editor-in-chief of the Trinity Mirror group. Asked how the proposals for press regulation as set out by Lord Black would impact on his group, Embley said they would continue changes already underway.
Investigative journalist working for the Daily Mirror. Since 1997, Penman has written a column, originally called Sorted, with various name changes and co-authors over the years, exposing consumer rip-offs and scams run by businesses or individuals. The column has won many awards. Penman gave the Inquiry a detailed account of his methodology, which includes notifying those he writes about before publication.
Editor of the Daily Mirror at the time of giving evidence and until 2012. Described the ethos of the paper and its 110-year history. Told the Inquiry of its post-war support for Labour and of the various campaigns it had supported. Said that he took personal responsibility for the ethics of the paper and that every effort was made to correct errors.
Editor of the Sunday Mirror at the time of giving evidence, a role she had held for 10 years. In addition, she had been a member of the Press Complaints Commission since 2008. Gave detailed evidence of corporate governance at the Sunday Mirror and how the paper ensured lawful, professional and ethical conduct. Was asked to give details of a film made by Chris Atkins called "Starsuckers", a hoax set up to investigate whether tabloid newspapers would be willing to offer money for confidential medical records. Questioned about the film, Weaver made it clear that the Sunday Mirror had been approached but had never considered purchasing such material.
Crime Correspondent at the South Wales Echo at the time of the Inquiry, Alford answered questions on the relationship between police and press in South Wales.
Former CEO of Trinity Mirror. Deputy Chair of Ofcom and Chairman of the Ofcom Content Board at the time of the Inquiry, Graf was also a member of Ofcom's Remuneration Committee and the Radio Licensing Committee. He was Chief Executive of Trinity Mirror Group when the company merged with the Mirror Group in 1999, a position he held until February 2003.
Editor of News of the World from 1995 to 2000. Gave evidence that as editor he would constantly check whether a particular story was in the public interest and that the paper was adhering to PCC Code of Conduct principles. Hall told the Inquiry that the paper would not, for example, run stories about minors or report a medical issue without the consent of the subject. There had been no phone hacking during his time as editor, he said. In February 2003, he became Director of Editorial Development at Trinity Mirror, leaving two years later to found PR company PHA Media.
Vaghela was Group Finance Director of Trinity Mirror at the time of giving evidence. He joined Mirror Group in 1994 as an Internal Auditor and was subsequently Group Treasurer and then Director of Accounting and Treasury. He outlined the status of Trinity Mirror, which was listed on the UK Stock Exchange with no single proprietor or shareholder with a controlling stake. He said he had never felt under commercial pressure beyond promoting the success of the group through strategies that were lawful in all respects. All staff had to abide by Mirror's Code of Business Conduct which prohibited bribery, he said.
Former Executive Director of Trinity Mirror, now serving as Editorial Legal Director at Telegraph Media Group, the parent company of the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph.