More speakers have been unveiled for next month’s Society of Editors conference in Belfast, the year’s biggest media industry gathering.

Tory MP John Whittingdale – chairman of the backbench Culture, Media and Sport Committee and an outspoken critic of statutory press regulation, has been named among the keynote speakers for the three-day event.

Other confirmed speakers include Manchester Evening News editor Rob Irvine, who will take part in a panel discussion on the future of the industry.

Rob’s fellow panellists will include Stefano Hatfield, editor of I , Carla Buzasi of The Huffington Post and managing director of Metro Linda Grant.

The conference, which will take place from 11-13 November, will be focusing on the way forward for journalism in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry, with the inquiry reoprt also expected to be published next month.

Press Complaints Commission chairman Lord Hunt will open the proceedins on the Sunday evening by delivering the annual SoE Lecture.

Monday’s sessions will be chaired by media pundit Steve Hewlett and will focus on the Leveson inquiry, the future of self-regulation and relationships between the press, politicians, the police and the public.

Other confirmed speakers include Chris Blackhurst of The Independent, PressBoff Chairman Lord Black, Peter Preston, Chairman of the Guardian Foundation, ACPO Media Advisory Group Chairman Andy Trotter and Philippa Kennedy, Ombudswoman for The Sun.

Society president Francesca Unsworth, Head of Newsgathering at the BBC said: “This year’s conference is due to take place at a momentous time for the industry. We will be focused intently upon looking forward.

“Our conference will be an opportunity for the media to discuss new initiatives and emerging platforms against the backdrop of a spectacular city.”