Chairman of Telegraph Media Group, a subsidiary of Press Holdings and responsible for The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph. He told the Inquiry he believed in “self-regulation”.
Television journalist and Political Editor of Sky News at the time of the Inquiry. Boulton gave evidence of his experience of the interaction of politicians and the media. He suggested that healthy relations between political journalists and politicians broke down during Tony Blair’s years in office and spoke of his concern at attempts by politicians to manipulate news agendas.
Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 and UK Prime Minister when the Inquiry was set up. Cameron was close to the Murdoch newspapers and had appointed Andy Coulson, former editor of the News of the World, as his principal media adviser. Gave extensive evidence to the Inquiry agreeing that self-regulation was not working but arguing that statutory regulation was worrying. He admitted Coulson was “a controversial appointment” but said he had had no overt or covert deal with newspapers.
Deputy Prime Minister at the time of the Inquiry and until 2015. Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2007 to 2015. Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam from 2005 to 2017. Appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 2018 New Year Honours for Political and Public Service. Told the Inquiry he believed a strong, free press was the lifeblood of a democracy but that revelations about News of the World phone-hacking had led to widespread revulsion. He gave evidence on the importance of the press in holding politicians to account and raising issues that politicians would rather not see aired.
Gave evidence to the Inquiry as statutory Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (DMPC). From January 2010 to January 2012, he was Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (the "MPA"). His public statement that too many police resources were being allocated to the phone-hacking inquiry led some politicians to calls for his resignation.
Prime Minister of the UK and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2016 but, at the time of giving evidence in 2012, Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities. Among other ministerial and Shadow roles, had previously been a Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport. Gave lengthy evidence on her ministerial oversight of the police and of police/media relations. Offered detailed answers to questions on allegations of phone-hacking and other improper conduct within News International. Asked whether she had ever discussed media policy, Ofcom or BskyB with Rupert Murdoch or anyone representing his interests, she answered "No".
Director of the Centre for the Study of Media, Communication and Power, and a Senior Research Fellow in the Policy Institute at King's College London. Founding director of the Media Standards Trust (2006-2015). Submitted academic studies to the Inquiry on the growing threats to press standards and the failures of self-regulation.
Gus O'Donnell, former senior civil servant and economist, who between 2005 and 2011 (under three Prime Ministers) served as Cabinet Secretary, the highest official in the British Civil Service. Gave evidence concerning Andy Coulson's role as press chief to Prime Minister David Cameron, and offered his opinion that Coulson should have declared his News Corporation shares.
Former advisor to Jeremy Hunt MP and Secretary of State. He resigned following concerns at his frequent and indiscreet communications with a News Corporation lobbyist while the Government was considering that organisation’s intention to take over BskyB.
Born 1948, Virginia Bottomley was a British Conservative Party politician and former Secretary of State for Health and for Culture, Media and Sport. Stepped down from the House of Commons at the 2005 general election, and was offered a peerage later that year. Bottomley gave evidence to the Inquiry on the DCMS at the time of her appointment in 1995 and of debate about the 1990 Calcutt Report and issues of privacy and regulation.
British Politician serving as Conservative MP for Ashford since 1997. Before entering politics, Green worked as a journalist for the BBC, Channel 4 and The Times. Following the June 2017 general election, Green was appointed First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office, a position he resigned from later that year following a breach in the ministerial code.
Director of Policy and Transition at the Press Complaints Commission at the time of the Inquiry. Gave his view that publication of some pictures of members of the Royal Family had tested the system of press self-regulation and highlighted important issues with regard to press standards. Listed some practices and recent cases which the PCC felt raised cause for concern.
Author and former BBC political correspondent. From 1998 to 2001, he was special adviser at 10 Downing Street and later Labour Party Director of Communications. Was questioned by the Inquiry on an allegation in his book "Where Power Lies" that Tony Blair had reached an arrangement that Rupert Murdoch would give Labour a "fair wind" if his business interests were left in peace. Described Murdoch as the 24th member of the Cabinet in that his voice was never heard but his presence was always felt.
British Labour Party politician who, as Member of Parliament for Leicester East since 1987, was at time of the Inquiry Parliament's longest-serving British Asian MP. He gave his opinion that broadcasting regulation worked well and could be a useful model for the press.
Sunday sister paper of Daily Mirror that began life as the Sunday Pictorial and was renamed the Sunday Mirror in 1963. See also evidence of Tina Weaver, editor at time of Inquiry; Justin Penrose, crime correspondent; and reporters Nicholas Lee Owens and Sarah Jellema.
