Lord Justice Leveson has opened up about his plans for future press regulation during yesterday’s hearing. It was not the first time the judge hinted at his thinking and discussed the possibilities for a body to replace and improve on the Press Complaints Commission – but during Tony Blair’s appearance at the inquiry he held… Read more »
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has denied a “cosy” relationship with News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch. Blair told the Leveson Inquiry today he had never made a deal with the media mogul over policy issues but admitted he took the views of the Murdoch press into account when working out government strategy. He said: “There was no… Read more »
A new regulatory regime could “take away the feeding tube” from the press, Andrew Marr has told the Leveson Inquiry. The former BBC political editor said today the industry is in a “very parlous state” with many papers losing money and online news becoming more popular. In contrast, he said, political bloggers are an “influential… Read more »
Lord Mandelson has denied a “Faustian pact” between the Labour government and Rupert Murdoch. The politician, who held several senior positions under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, told the Leveson Inquiry the opposite was often true. In his written statement to the inquiry, he said: “I reject the view that, under either Mr Blair or… Read more »
Tessa Jowell has denied failing to help police with phone hacking prosecutions. The former Culture Secretary said police informed her voicemail messages had been illegally intercepted in 2006, when she was on holiday with family and friends, and her “offers of further help were declined”. Previously the inquiry heard Jowell had resisted helping officers with… Read more »
Labour minister Jack Straw has claimed Rupert Murdoch “seems to enjoy playing with political leaders”. The MP, who held several senior positions under the Labour government, said the proprietor is interested in power and using political connections to help open doors on media policy. During his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry today, Straw admitted he… Read more »
