A police officer for 34 years, Ian Blair served as Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, head of London's Metropolitan Police Service. He testified regarding his personal relationship with the media and as head of the police force. He gave detailed evidence of how relations between the media and police were conducted. Resigned in 2008 and became a peer in 2010. Lord Blair noted that the culture prevailing during his time as Commissioner was very different from the culture at the time of the Inquiry.
Former journalist and Senior Information Officer for Specialist Operations at Scotland Yard Service at the time of the Inquiry. Was questioned in detail about her contacts with former Assistant Commissioner John Yates and his connections and contacts with News of the World staff. Was asked similar questions about former Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman and the Metropolitan Police recruitment of a PR firm owned by Neil Wallis, then an executive editor of the News of the World, who was later charged and cleared in the 2011 phone-hacking scandal.
Senior police officer, gave evidence to the Inquiry as Assistant Commissioner with the Metropolitan Police Service, and addressed questions of contacts between press and police. In 2017, she became Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in London, the first woman to take charge of the service. She holds The Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to policing.
Sports writer and broadcaster, formerly of the News of the World and Express Newspapers. Gave evidence of his work at the News of the World, and of being unfairly dismissed and awarded just under £800,000 for unfair dismissal after a lengthy period of bullying at that paper. The paper's editor, Andy Coulson, went on to work as communications chief for David Cameron shortly after.
Tim Godwin had recently retired as Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service at the time of giving evidence. He joined Met in 1999 from Sussex Police, becoming Temporary Commissioner on two occasions and remaining in post until Bernard Hogan-Howe was appointed in 2011. Gave detailed testimony of meetings with politicians and the media and answered questions on the benefits and disadvantages of closer relations between the police and the media. He described some cooperation with media representatives but stated that he rarely accepted any form of hospitality and that every such event was recorded in his hospitality register.
Former Metropolitan Police officer who joined the Service in 1977, later becoming a Detective Constable. Hames presented BBC's Crimewatch between 1990 and 2006. She took early retirement from the MPS in January 2008. She gave evidence of press intrusion, including being targeted by Glenn Mulcaire of the News of the World and followed by private investigators also working for that paper.
British police officer within the Metropolitan Police Service having represented the MPS both nationally and internationally while dealing with incidents of serious crime, including being appointed Case Officer for Operation Caryatid, investigating the phone-hacking of members of the Royal Family. Gave evidence to the Inquiry on his attempts to establish the extent of phone-hacking by specific journalists.
Director of Audit, Risk and Assurance at the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime ("MOPC") at the times of the Inquiry, having worked with the Metropolitan Police Service audit team since 1996, and been a senior manager of the Metropolitan Police Authority since it was established. Answered questions on procedures at the MOPC and on the delayed implementation of a recommendation relating to gifts and hospitality obligations.
Chief Inspector of Constabulary (May 2009 to July 2012) at the time of giving evidence; previously Chief Constable of Surrey Police (2000-2004) during the investigation into Milly Dowler's death in 2002. Sir Denis told the Inquiry that following an article in The Guardian in July 2009 alleging widespread phone hacking at the News of The World, he had recommended an "independent review" to the Home Office – but reported that there was "no appetite" for this from officials, including then Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
At the time of giving evidence, Sir Hugh was President of the Association of Chief Police Officers, representing the 44 police forces of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. He retired from the role in 2015. Previously, he had served with Metropolitan Police Service, including taking part in the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. From 2002 to 2009, Sir Hugh was Chief Constable of the Police Service in Northern Ireland. His testimony included the reflection that he had found the Press Complaints Commission "powerless" in its handling of intrusions into his own private life by the press.
British politician and retired police officer, currently sitting in the House of Lords as a life peer. Until his retirement in May 2007, Paddick was Deputy Assistant Commissioner in London's Metropolitan Police Service. He gave evidence to the Inquiry of a Metropolitan Police cover-up of systemic phone hacking by sections of the tabloid press. Paddick was a Liberal Democrat candidate for the London mayoral elections of 2008 and 2012.
British former senior police officer. From 2008 to 2009, Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations) of London's Metropolitan Police Service at New Scotland Yard, a key national security post with responsibility for counter-terrorism within the UK, protection of the Queen and senior members of the British Royal Family, and protection of the UK Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers. Quick also oversaw the protection of visiting heads of state to the UK and the diplomatic community in London. Quick told the Inquiry of his belief from 2000 that some tabloid journalists were making corrupt payments to police officers.
Former Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, the UK's third largest police force, following 30 years with the Metropolitan Police. Extensive experience of liaising with the press. Awarded Queen's Police Medal.
Professional news & PR photographer, former Managing Director of NewsPics Ltd and Senior Photographic Officer with the Metropolitan Police Service. Told the Inquiry of his surveillance work over a period of years. He had used covert photographic methods to photograph more than 300 people in a two-year period, including following the McCanns to Canada on holiday. He said that at the time he thought it appropriate.
A former journalist, Stearns was Head of Media at the Metropolitan Police at the time of the Inquiry. His evidence was volunteered rather than formally sought and he attempted to put in context the work of the press office which dealt with 200-300 journalistic calls a day from the media. Following major incidents, this number could rise to 1,000 or more calls, all requiring individual responses, he told the Inquiry.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner from 2009 to 2011. At the time of giving evidence, he had just formally resigned from that position. Questioned on the Met's hospitality rules, he told the Inquiry that he thought it important for police and press to have good relations. He was asked particularly about the hospitality he had accepted from Stephen Purdew, the owner of Champneys health spa, where Sir Paul had had an extensive programme of physiotherapy. He was also asked about his connection with Neil Wallis, Executive Editor of the News of the World from 2007 to 2009, who worked as a PR for Champneys. Wallis was later arrested as part of Operation Weeting but was cleared of all charges brought against him.
John Wakeham, former Conservative Party politician and former Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. Between 1998 and 2012, he was Chancellor of Brunel University, and since then has been appointed its Chancellor Emeritus. He was a director of Enron from 1994 until its bankruptcy in 2001. Gave his view that statutory regulation would be acrimonious and hard to achieve.
Detective Sergeant for the Metropolitan Police force, Williams had been involved in many operations within Organised Crime Group, Specialist Operations and Anti-Terrorism branches. He led the police inquiry into hacking allegations in 2006 and gave evidence to the Inquiry about the early investigations of Operation Caryatid and his interviews with Glenn Mulcaire, then of the News of the World.
Former Assistant Commissioner in the London Metropolitan Police Service (2006-2011), Yates had resigned from office following criticism of his close relationship with journalists, in particular those from the News of the World. He gave evidence to the Inquiry two years after that resignation. Yates had been conducting a review of the 2006 Police Inquiry into the News of the World royal phone-hacking scandal. Lord Justice Leveson said it was a matter of "regret" that Yates had not handed the task to another officer but that there was no evidence he had been involved in corruption.
Expert in cyber resilience and former Director of Information for the Metropolitan Police Service. Answered questions at the Inquiry on the security and vulnerabilities of the Police National Computer.
