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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.

Professional investigator and Head of Secretariat at the Association of British Investigators, Imossi told the Inquiry of journalists and others posing as "licensed investigators". He gave details of one who had given false evidence to the Inquiry to that effect.

Member of Parliament from 1992 to 2015, holding major ministerial positions including (from 2001 to 2007) as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Designated a Core Participant Victim at the Inquiry, she gave extensive evidence, based on her experience both as Secretary of State responsible for media and as a victim of phone-hacking. In her evidence, she accused the press of "total invasion" of her privacy. Jowell accepted £200,000 in damages from the News of the World (£100,000 of which went to a charity), after the police informed her that her phone had been comprehensively hacked. Raised to the peerage in the 2015 Dissolution Honours, Baroness Jowell died from cancer in May 2018.

Broadcaster and former politician. Served as MP for Putney from 1979 to 1997, and was John Major’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 1990 to 1992 and Secretary of State for National Heritage from April 1992 until resigning later that year. The tabloid press had reported his extra-marital affair and his preference for wearing a Chelsea shirt. He told the Inquiry, “All you will remember about me when I go to my grave is some bloody Chelsea shirt." Mellor said he had been initially persuaded by the Prime Minister not to resign since the PM did not want extra-marital affairs to become resignation issues. After leaving Parliament, Mellor worked as a newspaper columnist, radio presenter and Chair of the Government's Football Task Force.

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.

Born 1948. British journalist and author. He is currently serving as the British government's Commissioner for Public Appointments, and is the out-going director of the Institute for Government. From 1991 to 2010, Riddell was a political commentator for The Times and has been an Assistant Editor since 1991. Prior to this, he was US Editor and Washington Bureau Chief at The Financial Times between 1989 and 1991.

Academic expert in media and communications regulation, submitted evidence to the Inquiry on journalism and self-regulation. Has provided formal and informal policy advice and been frequently called to give evidence to parliamentary committees.

Group Director and board member at Ofcom at the time of giving evidence. Submitted an Ofcom study on the importance of media plurality, recommending that Government consider how to strike the right balance between promoting plurality and encouraging economically sustainable news-media organisations. Argued that judging a newspaper by circulation was not an accurate measure of its impact on society. Ofcom is an independent body which regulates the UK's broadcasting, telecommunications and wireless communications sectors and sets and enforces rules on fair competition between companies in these industries.

MP for West Bromwich East and a member of the House of Commons Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee. He told the Inquiry that he stepped down as a minister in 2009 due to "unwarranted media intrusion" into his family life that year. The Inquiry acknowledged that he had taken an active role in monitoring the culture, practices and ethics of the Press since then. Told the Inquiry that News International commissioned a private investigator to trail him in 2009 over false claims of an affair, for which James Murdoch had apologised in evidence to the DCMS Select Committee. Watson described a "craven" relationship between the highest levels of government and News International. Played a robust role in the DCMS Select Committee investigation into phone hacking and subsequent report (2012), which stated that parliament had been misled by News International employees.

Australian computer programmer and director, founder and editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, an organisation he formed in 2006, dedicated to leaking hitherto secret information. Assange gave evidence of his dealings with the Press Complaints Commission and his complaints about the many false statements and libels of him in the press.

General Secretary of the FDA, the trade union for senior civil servants, at the time of giving evidence. The FDA had received no reports from members about problems dealing with the press, he told the Inquiry.

Managing Editor of The Sun at the time of the Inquiry, gave a number of witness statements to the Inquiry on subjects ranging from an alleged prank to mark Charlotte Church's 16th birthday to the paper's coverage of the war in Afghanistan. In 2014, he left News International after 24 years to take up an appointment as Director of Communications for the Department of Work and Pensions.

Formed 2012 and now defunct, professional body for social workers, set up to improve standards in the care industry. Closed in 2015 after government funding was cut. Submitted paper outlining journalistic practices that social workers consider to be unethical and unacceptable.

Organisation supporting governments, parliaments and any organisation that wants to involve citizens in decision making to be transparent, open and welcoming of participation.

Irish Secretary of the National Union of Journalists with overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of union activities, organisation and financial affairs in Ireland North and South at the time of giving evidence. He was also a member of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Executive Council and of the Press Council of Ireland's finance and administrative committee. Offered the Inquiry a brief history of recent legal debates on the press in Ireland including proposals for a draconian privacy bill. Told the Inquiry that the UK obsession with editors was not mirrored in Ireland.

Founded 1992, with focus on improving quality of policy ideas for the UK and EU. It has produced studies promoting the design, effective use and subsequent audit of impact assessments. Offered evidence to the Inquiry on the failings of the Press Complaints Commission.

Public relations and communications expert, formerly a civil servant and first head of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat of the Cabinet Office in 2001. Over 25 years, Granatt held a range of senior communications posts in the British civil service, and was press secretary to five Cabinet ministers, both Conservative and Labour.

Former British civil servant who served as Permanent Secretary for Tax at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) until July 2012. Following his retirement, Hartnett advised HSBC on financial crime governance and was appointed as a consultant to the tax firm Deloitte. Gave evidence to the Inquiry on breaches of data-protection law within the Information Commissioners Office and the persistent efforts he witnessed of bogus callers trying to obtain personal details of taxpayers.

Now known as the Press Council of Ireland and responsible for the oversight of professional principles embodied in a Code of Practice, and with upholding the freedom of the press. Press Ombudsman John Horgan told the Inquiry that the independence of the body from both industry and state was vital. Every major newspaper in Ireland had been the subject of critical adverse findings, he said.

In 2012, as Treasury Solicitor, the Government's principal legal official, he gave written evidence to the Inquiry. At the time of News Corporation's BskyB bid, Sir Paul's advice had been sought on comments made about the bid by Vince Cable, the then Secretary of State for Business. Sir Paul told the Leveson Inquiry that he had informed the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, that in his view Cable's comments could put his impartiality in question and that Cable's duties in the matter should therefore be transferred to another Secretary of State. Sir Paul died in February 2018.