At the time of the Inquiry, Ashford was Editorial Director of Northern & Shell, then the parent company of the Daily and Sunday Express, OK! magazine and a variety of other periodicals. He was requested to explain the circumstances of that company's withdrawal from the PCC. He said that "hurtful" attacks from other PCC members made N&S reluctant to participate, fearing that the PCC would not have the group's best interests at heart. Ashford also gave evidence regarding the Daily Express's close following of the Madeleine McCann story and comments made by Sir Christopher Meyer, then Chairman of PCC, about Peter Hill, editor at that time.
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.
A consultant cardiologist from Leicestershire whose daughter Madeleine, aged three, disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal in May 2007. Dr McCann, his wife Kate and their holiday companions were the subject of multiple libels in national newspapers, for some of which they sued and received damages.
A Leicestershire doctor whose daughter Madeleine, aged three, disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal in May 2007. Dr McCann, her husband Gerry and their holiday companions were the subject of multiple libels in national newspapers, for some of which they sued and received damages.
Journalist working for News of the World at time of its closure, having previously worked for The Sun, Today, Sunday Sport, News of the World and the Sunday Express. Told the Inquiry that "in 21 years of invading people's privacy I've never actually come across anyone who's been doing any good. The only people I think need privacy are people who do bad things... privacy is for paedos". He also claimed that "circulation defines the public interest... You just don't go up to a paedophile priest and say, hello good sir, you are a priest, do you like abusing choir boys?"
Trade unionist and journalist, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists at the time of the Inquiry. Stanistreet previously worked at the Sunday Express for 10 years. Told the Inquiry that every member of the NUJ was obliged to work according to principles set out within the NUJ Code of Conduct. Central to the Code was the clause stating that "A journalist shall obtain information, photographs, illustrations only by straightforward means. The use of other means can be justified only by over-riding considerations of the public interest."
Political Editor of the Mail on Sunday at time of giving evidence. A Lobby member since 1983, Walters previously worked at The Sun and Sunday Express. In 2013, he was Political Journalist of the Year, the third time he had been given the accolade. One of the stories commended was his revelation that Lord Leveson had "threatened to quit" over criticism from a Cabinet Minister. Another concerned text messages between David Cameron and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks revealing that the Government would resist calls arising from the Leveson Inquiry for tougher press legislation.
Had been Picture Editor of the Sunday Express for 12 years at time of giving evidence. Explained procedures for acquiring pictures and that all photographs used came from freelancers. None the less, he said, a photographer's failure to abide by the Editors Code of Conduct would result in him or her not being used again. If the desk suspected a picture had been taken without permission they would seek details of the circumstances. Evans offered the opinion that there should be more training for all in the law relating to the press.
Journalist. Media correspondent at The Guardian at the time of the Inquiry. Previously deputy business editor at the Sunday Express, a reporter for Sunday Business and, before that, the Birmingham Post. Was asked about procedures and protocols for newsgathering at The Guardian.
Editor of the Sunday Express at time of giving evidence. Described corporate governance and editorial procedures. Had previously worked as showbusiness editor of the Mail on Sunday's You magazine and as editor of OK!. He stated that he had never been involved in, or knew of, any "computer hacking" in the organisation.
British publishing group founded in 1974 and owned by Richard Desmond. At the time of the Inquiry, it published the Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday newspapers, and the magazines OK!, New! and Star.
