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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.

Westminster-based journalist since 1982, Political Editor and columnist for The Independent and former Political Editor of The Sunday Times. He told the Inquiry he recognised that self-regulation had not worked but feared under the more restrictive regime sought by some politicians, important disclosures about politicians and the press themselves might not be made. He was also concerned that statutory regulation could not keep pace with new media technologies.

Broadcaster, journalist, writer and television presenter. Marr began his career as a political commentator, subsequently edited The Independent, and at time of giving evidence was working for the BBC. Marr told the Inquiry that rivalry between journalists was inevitable and that forming good contacts with Ministers was necessary and inevitable and that the Inquiry should not be too “fastidious”.

Associate Editor (News) at the Sunday Express at the time of the Inquiry, having previously worked at Today newspaper before its closure. Went on to become Scottish political editor of the Edinburgh Evening News, and Home Affairs editor of Scotland on Sunday. Was asked about the culture of relations between the Metropolitan Police Service and the media.

Bradby was Political Editor for ITV News at time of giving evidence. He had set the phone-hacking scandal in motion by informing the Royal Family that their phones may have been hacked. He became suspicious when voicemails he left with the Royal Family in 2005 (as ITV's royal correspondent) appeared in the News of the World. He gave evidence to the Inquiry asserting that as Political Editor he was responsible for making sure that what he did was ethical and conformed with the ITN Compliance Manual, the Ofcom Code and the law. He further stated that he did not use private investigators or pay sources.

Gave evidence as Political Editor of the Sunday Mirror. From 1995, he had been a political correspondent at the House of Commons, working for a news agency supplying stories to regional agencies around the country before becoming Sunday Mirror Political Editor in 2000. Told the Inquiry that he had always worked within the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) Code, had never paid private investigators, but had occasionally sought expenses for paying freelance journalists. Reported the circumstances in which he felt concerns over misuse of taxpayers' money could over-ride concerns for an MP's privacy. He left his position in 2015 and was described as a "formidable scoop merchant" and "real gentleman".

British journalist, political editor for the BBC at the time of giving evidence, now a presenter of Today programme. Told the Inquiry that close relations between politicians and journalists were not new but that broadcasters tended not to be so close. Not being personally attacked or ridiculed matters more than endorsement, Robinson told the Inquiry. Broadcasters were obliged to be impartial but that model would not transfer to the print media, he said, adding that there was no ideal system of regulation.