Prime Minister David Cameron today named the panel of independent experts who will help examine media ethics and practices in the wake of the phone hacking scandal.
Journalists on the panel, which will be chaired by Lord Justice Leveson, will include the former Daily Telegraph political editor George Jones and former Channel 4 political editor Elinor Goodman.
Other members include the human rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, the former chairman of the Financial Times Sir David Bell, former chairman of Ofcom Lord David Currie and former West Midlands Police chief constable Sir Paul Scott-Lee.
The inquiry is expected to result in recommendations on a new regulatory regime for the industry, including the possible replacement of the Press Complaints Commission with a statutory body.
Ms Chakrabarti said today: “It was a daunting privilege to be invited to join Lord Justice Leveson’s panel for such an important public inquiry.
“My acceptance is a vote of confidence in the vital role of independent judicial process in times of national difficulty.
“It reflects Liberty’s belief in an appropriate balance between personal privacy and media freedom and above all in the Rule of Law.”
The inquiry will look at the phone hacking scandal specifically but also at broader issues involving politics, the media and the police, and is expected to report within 12 months.
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
Is there a representative of the regional press on this panel?
If not, why not?
If all members of the press are to be subject to a new regulatory regime, then the regional press should have a place on the panel.
I am sure we could make a useful contribution.
Report this comment
The only two people on the panel who give me confidence are Shami Chakrabarti and Elinor Goodman. The rest come horribly under the heading of “the Great and Good”.
Report this comment