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.
Former Merseyside policeman, who joined the force in 1965 and retired in the rank of Detective Inspector in 1997. Following retirement, Owens served as an investigator with the Data Protection Registrar’s Office (now the Information Commissioner’s Office). While working on an investigation with Devon and Cornwall police, Owens came across bundles of documents of vehicle registrations with personal details. This began the Operation Motorman investigation intended to identify corrupt sources within the DVLA selling or passing on personal details to journalists. Owens gave evidence to the Leveson Inquiry that he and his team had been told not to contact journalists. Owens resigned from his work with the ICO which, he told the Leveson Inquiry, failed in its duty to conduct a full investigation into the conduct of journalists using personal details.
Had been a reporter at the Sunday Mirror for 6 years at the time of the Inquiry. Before that, he had been with the Lancashire Evening Post and received a number of awards for undercover work and investigations. In 2009, he was the subject of a "sting" when a documentary film apparently revealed him willing to buy confidential celebrity medical records. Owens told the Inquiry that he did not take the offer very seriously, no documents were obtained and no story was published.
Police officer and at the time of the Inquiry Principal of the Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI) based at the Financial Crime Unit (Fraud Squad) of Gwent Police. Palmer outlined the aims of the IPI which were to provide training and help establish ethical practices for private and public-sector investigators.
Investigative journalist working for the Daily Mirror. Since 1997, Penman has written a column, originally called Sorted, with various name changes and co-authors over the years, exposing consumer rip-offs and scams run by businesses or individuals. The column has won many awards. Penman gave the Inquiry a detailed account of his methodology, which includes notifying those he writes about before publication.
Private investigator and Director of Operations at Insight Investigations, overseeing the day to day work of more than 20 investigators operating throughout the UK, Europe and around the world for Insight clients. Also gave evidence on the workings of the World Association of Private Investigators.
A paediatrician working for the NHS since June 2000, Gilbert had published research widely in all areas of paediatric nephrology. His involvement in the Inquiry stemmed from his treatment of a young child with a fatal level of salt in her body, and the subsequent media coverage. He told the Inquiry that a campaigner with a grudge against paediatricians had sought to destroy his career and that some newspapers had been happy to assist.
Public relations consultant at time of giving evidence and a former editor of The Sun newspaper, which he left in 1998. Higgins had worked for The Sun from 1979 as their West Country reporter and acquired notoriety when he was arrested in 1982 after being found with a Sun photographer "testing security" at Highgrove House, the home of the Prince of Wales. In 1994, he became editor of the paper, quickly winning Scoop of the Year awards for a story about the Queen ordering the then Princess of Wales and the Prince of Wales to divorce.
WAPI offered evidence as a professional investigator body, helping members of the public, the legal profession and business and corporate clients to find credible professional investigators. Submitted documentation of its conferences and work with clients.
