Edmondson was news editor at the News of the World at the time of the Inquiry and answered questions on practices of phone-hacking and surveillance at that paper. In April 2011 he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police as part of Operation Weeting, which investigated phone hacking, and subsequently sentenced to seven months in prison for conspiring to intercept voicemail messages.
Former award-winning undercover British journalist, jailed in 2015 after being found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice. Before his jailing, Mahmood worked mainly for the tabloid press, spending 20 years at the News of the World and Sunday Times, during which time he was responsible for numerous investigations, including a reputed 94 that led to convictions. He became known as the "fake sheikh" due to one alias he assumed during the course of his investigations.
The actress, model and fashion designer was designated a Core Participant Victim by the Inquiry. During the period 2005 to 2006, Miller found herself the victim of intrusive media scrutiny, particularly from the News of the World. She told the Inquiry that information published about her private life had been so precise and accurate that she had accused friends and family of talking to the press about her. Soon after, she learnt from the police that her telephone had been hacked.
Editor of the Daily Express at the time of the Inquiry, having worked previously at The Sun, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday. He supported Express Newspapers' withdrawal from the PCC, in part because of what he perceived as failures by the PCC to intervene over Madeleine McCann stories published in his own newspaper. He would never break the law intentionally, he told the Inquiry.
British journalist and co-founder of pop-culture publication, Popbitch. Despite describing the website and weekly newsletter as “tongue in cheek”, Popbitch found itself issuing a number of public apologies and paying damages to actor Max Beesley in 2008.
Born 1959. Canadian musician, photographer, philanthropist and activist. Adams was awarded the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia for contributions to popular music and philanthropic work via his foundation, which helps improve education for people around the world. He was a victim of a stalking episode in 2008 and stated in his evidence to the Inquiry that he suspected a link between evidence he gave the police and information subsequently printed in the press.
Father of Sam Banks, who died while holidaying in India in 2010. Banks gave evidence to the Inquiry regarding misreporting and unnecessary sensationalising of the death by The Sun. The paper's Managing Editor at the time apologised personally for a fabricated quote he said had been invented by a sub-editor.
Independent Bed and Breakfast owner, whose business was destroyed by defamatory articles printed about him, his wife and their business, by an undercover reporter in 1998.
Bed & Breakfast owner, who claimed an undercover reporter had destroyed her business with defamatory articles about her, her husband and their business in 1998. The two described themselves as "fair-weather naturists" but in a written statement claimed that the News of the World had visited and published exaggerated and false articles about the nature of their hospitality.
At the time of the Inquiry, Greener had been the Daily Star's Picture Editor for 9 years, having been at the paper for more than 20. Told the Inquiry that he tried to ensure that all pictures used were taken ethically and honestly. Was asked specifically about pictures of Hugh Grant's baby and said he was content that the pictures had been taken in a public place and not in a context that could be deemed private. Star photographers abided by a strict moral and ethical code, he said.
Former editor of UK tabloid the Daily Star Sunday, having taken over from Hugh Whittow in 2003. Morgan was a former scientist at British Aerospace who read physics at Manchester University and the University of Louisville. Answered questions at the Inquiry on his paper's views on Lord Black's proposals. Morgan believed that proposals were all covered by existing laws.
English actor, comedian and businessman at the time of the Inquiry. Morrissey gave evidence of being misreported in the media, telling the Inquiry that the Daily Mail in particular had refused to delay publication when told a story was false. Also reported intense press harassment when news of his affair with TV presenter Amanda Holden was exposed.
Freelance Writer and former sub-editor of the Daily Star, until 2016. Taylor-Whiffen has written for an extensive client list including national broadsheet and tabloid newspapers, magazines, major broadcasters, FTSE 100 organisations, the world's leading universities and Britain's primary charities.
First issued 1870. Tabloid newspaper based in Birmingham and distributed around Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull and parts of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire. The newspaper is currently owned by Trinity Mirror Group, which also owns Daily Mirror and Birmingham Post.
Founded 1910. The Carlisle News and Star is a local tabloid newspaper and website covering news and events in Cumbria. Anne Pickles, the editor at the time of the Inquiry, gave evidence about police-press relations.
Founded 1903. British daily tabloid which has supported the Labour Party since the 1945 general election. Now part of Reach Plc which took over the holdings of Trinity Mirror following the phone-hacking scandal when damages of £1.25m were awarded to eight people whose phones were hacked by Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror journalists. Editors of both papers were dismissed and Lloyd Embley was appointed editor of both titles in wake of the scandal.
Founded 1978. British daily tabloid newspaper published Monday to Saturday with a circulation of more than 400,000 readers. Regular features include topless models and “Star Babes”, gossip articles and TV news column “Hot TV”. The newspaper paid damages and issued front-page apologies to the McCann family for libellous coverage of their daughter’s disappearance.
Founded 2002. British weekly tabloid newspaper launched as a sister title to the Daily Star. Stuart James took over the editorship in February 2014 from the paper's previous editor, Peter Carbery. The newspaper, along with the Daily Star, paid damages and issued front-page apologies to the McCann family for defamatory coverage of their daughter’s disappearance.
Daily newspaper in the UK, first published as a broadsheet in 1900. Acquired by Richard Desmond in 2000. Hugh Whittow was appointed editor in 2011. He told the Inquiry that “ethics play a big role in the Daily Express” and all journalists adhered to the Editors Code of Practice. He admitted to some misleading statistics about the EU and a fabricated story about the banning of salt.
Founded 1827. London-based free newspaper, published Monday to Friday. Owned by Russian businessmen Alexander Lebedev and his son Evgeny and edited from May 2017 by former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London, covering national and international news and City of London finance. Evgeny Lebedev gave evidence to the Inquiry on his perception of the importance of a free press.
