Former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Akers joined the force in 1976 and retired at the end of 2012, having led Operation Weeting, investigating the News International phone-hacking scandal, and the related Operations Elveden and Tuleta, respectively investigating inappropriate payments to police officers and other public officials and computer hacking. Akers was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 2007 and appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to policing.
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.
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards between 1999 and 2002, Filkin later led an inquiry published in 2012 relating to the News International phone-hacking scandal to "recommend changes to links between the police and the media, including how to extend transparency". She answered questions on her work at the Leveson Inquiry. She was appointed CBE in the 2014 Birthday Honours.
Detective Chief Inspector for the Metropolitan Police. Gilmour joined the police in 1991, rising through the ranks investigating Serious Crime. From 2002 to 2005, Gilmour worked on Operation Glade, investigating police corruption. Journalists were interviewed under caution, after evidence suggested they had been commissioning private investigators to obtain information illegally.
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 English police officer and head of London's Metropolitan Police from 2011 to 2017. Hogan-Howe was knighted in the 2013 New Year’s Honours for his services to policing. Gave evidence on the Met’s relationship with the Press. Told the Inquiry of a “clear need to review existing procedures”.
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.
Born 1962. Deputy Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police Service. Held senior roles within Cumbria, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Constabularies, as well as a specialist staff-officer role in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. He gave the inquiry his view on managing relations with the press in Cumbria. Mackey was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service in 2009 and appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 2018 New Year’s Honours for services to Policing.
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.
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.
Surtees joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1988 rising to Detective Chief Inspector within the Specialist Operations Unit. Told Inquiry of his involvement in an extensive live exercise to test police, government and military readiness in respect of security for the Olympic Games in 2012.
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.
Full-time industrial officer of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), with responsibility for members in the Metropolitan Police Service. Prior to this, he was a lay official of PCS and one of its predecessor unions for more than 18 years.
