Born 1957. Journalist and author and former press secretary to Tony Blair as Leader of the Opposition (1994-97) and as Prime minister (1997-2000). From 2000-2003, he was director of communications for the Labour Party (2000-03). Before 1994, he had been political editor of Today newspaper and the Daily Mirror. Campbell gave detailed testimony on the political media and what he saw as the decline of genuine investigative journalism and the increasing tendency of owners, editors and senior journalists to wish to be political players. Embellishment and pure invention were tolerated and encouraged by some editors and owners, he said.
Journalist and political strategist, Andy Coulson was editor of the News of the World from 2003 until his resignation in 2007, following the conviction of one of the newspaper's reporters in relation to illegal phone-hacking. David Cameron appointed Coulson as communications director in 2007. Coulson resigned on 21 January 2011 as reports of News of the World phone hacking intensified. He was arrested 8 July 2011 and in 2014 found guilty of conspiracy to intercept voicemail, serving five months of an 18-month sentence.
Conservative MP for Surrey Heath and Education Secretary at the time of the Inquiry. A former journalist at the Aberdeen Press and Journal, the Times, the BBC and the Spectator. Told the Inquiry that sometimes "individuals reach for regulation in order to deal with failures of character or morality, and sometimes that regulation is right and appropriate but some of us believe that before the case for regulation is made, the case for liberty needs to be asserted as well".
Writer and journalist over 25 years for papers including the Daily Mail and Evening Standard. Hanning was deputy editor of The Independent on Sunday at the time of the Inquiry. An Old Etonian, he also co-wrote "Cameron", a biography of David Cameron, with Francis Elliott. Offered evidence at the Inquiry about Andy Coulson's appointment by Cameron and on what he knew about phone hacking at the News of the World.
Prime Minister of the UK and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2016 but, at the time of giving evidence in 2012, Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities. Among other ministerial and Shadow roles, had previously been a Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport. Gave lengthy evidence on her ministerial oversight of the police and of police/media relations. Offered detailed answers to questions on allegations of phone-hacking and other improper conduct within News International. Asked whether she had ever discussed media policy, Ofcom or BskyB with Rupert Murdoch or anyone representing his interests, she answered "No".
British Conservative Party politician and former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tatton. Osborne served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2016 and has been editor of the London Evening Standard since May 2017. Answered Inquiry's questions on BSkyB bid and defended his party's appointment of Andy Coulson as head of communications.
Born 1969. British news editor, producer and media executive. Former director of BBC World News Limited and Director of Communications for British Prime Minister David Cameron. Oliver was knighted in the 2016 Resignation Honours after Cameron stepped down as Prime Minister in the wake of the European Union membership referendum. Oliver answered questions from the Inquiry about the process of his appointment and changes he had made from the time of his predecessor Andy Coulson, as well as on meetings with Rupert Murdoch, Rebekah Brooks and other representatives of News International.
Policy Analyst and Senior Policy Adviser to David Cameron following 2010 election. Was asked to confirm whether he was the "adviser" referred to in an email exchange between Fred Michel of News Corp and James Murdoch at the time of the BSkyB bid. Silva confirmed that he was the "adviser" but said that his conversation with Michel had only fleetingly referred to the BskyB bid.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment as part of Prime Minister David Cameron's Cabinet reshuffle in October 2013. Had been Conservative Party Head of Media under Michael Howard for 18 months to May 2005 and Press Secretary to David Cameron until the end of October 2007.
