PM announces final hacking inquiry details
Prime Minister David Cameron has announced final details of the independent inquiry into phone hacking which will be led by Lord Justice Leveson. External site: [PM announces panel for judge-led inquiry and publishes terms of reference](http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/leveson-inquiry-panel-terms-of-reference/) External site: [PM's statement to Parliament on phone hacking](http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/statement-on-phone-hacking/)
In a statement to Parliament, the PM announced the six panel members who will assist with the inquiry into the culture practices and ethics of the press, and the extent of unlawful or improper conduct within News International and other newspapers.
The panel members assisting Lord Justice Leveson with his inquiry are:
- Shami Chakrabarti CBE - the civil liberties campaigner and Director of Liberty
- Sir Paul Scott-Lee - former Chief Constable of the West Midlands
- Lord (David) Currie - former Chairman of OFCOM
- Elinor Goodman - radio presenter and former Political Editor of Channel 4 News
- George Jones - former Political Editor of The Daily Telegraph
- Sir David Bell - former Chairman of the Financial Times
The Prime Minister said:
These people have been chosen not only for their expertise in the media, broadcasting, regulation, government and policing, but for their complete independence from any interested parties.
The Prime Minister also announced the publication of the final terms of reference for the inquiry.
In his statement to Parliament, he said some significant amendments had been made to the remit of the inquiry which will “not just consider the relations between the press, police and politicians, but their individual conduct too”.
The Prime Minister also stated that other relevant police forces will now be in the scope of the Inquiry, not just the Met, and that it will also look at other media organisations, including broadcast and social media - if there is any evidence that they have been involved in criminal activities.
Lord Justice Leveson will aim to make a report on the first part of the inquiry within 12 months.
The inquiry will be established under the 2005 Inquiries Act and have the power to summon witnesses including newspaper reporters, management, proprietors, policemen and politicians of all parties to give evidence under oath and in public.