British journalist and former editor of The Independent newspaper. After studying law, Blackhurst also worked for The Sunday Times, Daily Express and Evening Standard. Gave detailed responses to the proposals of Lord Black on behalf of The Independent group.
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.
Professor of Digital Economy at Cardiff University, Wales. His career in journalism included assignments at the Financial Times, the directorship of BBC News & Current Affairs, and editorships of The Independent and New Statesman. He was a founding board member of Ofcom. Gave the Inquiry examples of ethical issues such as defamation and contempt that would be included as part of the Journalism diploma/MA at Cardiff.
Journalist and Director of the English Centre of International PEN at the time of the Inquiry, who presented evidence on PEN's behalf. In the wake of the Leveson hearings, he was a major force behind setting up IMPRESS as an independent press regulator and became its first CEO.
Born 1980. Billionaire Russian-British owner of Lebedev Holdings Ltd, which owns the London Evening Standard, The Independent and the TV channel, London Live. Gave evidence to the Inquiry on his perception of the importance of a free press.
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”.
Scottish journalist and a former deputy editor of The Scotsman. Editor of The Independent on Sunday at the time of the Inquiry, Mullin gave evidence on behalf of that paper and said that IoS journalists would be expected to work to the highest ethical standards. He defended his decision to publish a story during the days of the Inquiry detailing Andy Coulson's shareholding in News Corporation while Coulson was working for 10 Downing Street. Mullin refused to reveal how he had come by Coulson's witness statement.
Former Managing Director of Independent Print Limited (IPL). Mullins gave evidence to the Inquiry on the values of IPL after its purchase of The Independent and Independent on Sunday, which were to be free from political bias and free from proprietorial influence.
Crime correspondent for The Independent at the time of giving evidence. Peachey told the Inquiry that his contacts with the police aimed to hold them to account for their actions. This would have been understood, he said. Asked about "hospitality", he said it was limited to tea and biscuits during briefings.
At time of giving evidence, Hatfield was Editor of "i", the newspaper's first editor. Described the origin of "i" as a shorter version of the daily Independent intended for people who wanted a quicker, digested read. As a policy, the paper had little interest in celebrity stories or stories of a private nature, Hatfield said. The news values and legal checks were the same as for The Independent. All "i" journalists were contractually obliged to work to the letter and spirit of the Press Complaints Commission's Editorial Code of Practice (PCC Code), he said.
Lawyer and former Group General Counsel at The Independent and Evening Standard, a role she held for 17 years. Gave evidence on how legal issues were identified and dealt with on those papers.
British Labour politician, author, MP for Sunderland South from 1987 to 2010. During the 1980s, Mullin led a campaign that resulted in the release of the Birmingham Six, the victims of a miscarriage of justice. His novel A Very British Coup was adapted for television. Told the Inquiry of his concerns about ownership of the Press and, in particular, the power of News International titles and that group’s influence on policy of successive governments.
Managing editor of the Evening Standard and The Independent, having joined the Standard in 1987. At the time of giving evidence in 2011, he managed both titles and outlined their policies on payment for information and internal codes of conduct.
Sunday edition of The Independent published from 1986 to 2016. John Mullin, editor at the time of the Inquiry, said that IoS journalists would be expected to work to the highest ethical standards and would not engage in the types of conduct being placed before the Inquiry. Mullin also defended his decision to publish a story during the period of the Inquiry detailing Andy Coulson's shares in News Corporation while working for 10 Downing Street. Mullin refused to reveal to the Inquiry how he came by Coulson's as-yet-undelivered witness statement.
