News story

PM calls for two inquiries into hacking allegations

The Prime Minister has called for two inquiries - one led by a judge - following the phone hacking allegations.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Mr Cameron described the allegations that people’s phones had been hacked in order to generate stories as ”simply disgusting”.

In a press conference in Downing Street, the PM said people wanted to know what is happening following the revelations and said action will be taken to get to the bottom of these specific revelations.

Mr Cameron also said action will be taken to learn wider lessons for the future of the press in this country and that there needs to be ”real clarity” about how all this came to pass, and the responsibilities we all have for the future.

The PM and Deputy PM have agreed to establish a “full, public and independent” inquiry headed by a judge to investigate why the first police investigation failed, what exactly was going on at the News of the World; and what was going on at other newspapers?

There will also be a second inquiry to learn the wider lessons for the future of the press. It will look at the culture, the practices and the ethics of the British press.

We need action as well to learn the wider lessons for the future of the press.

And this is something we can get on with straightaway, even while the police investigation is still ongoing.

That is why I want to establish a second inquiry to begin at the earliest available opportunity, ideally now - this summer.

The inquiry will be conducted by a “credible panel of figures drawn from a range of different backgrounds - who command the full support, respect and above all confidence of the public”.

In the press conference, Mr Cameron also said he took “full responsibility” for hiring Andy Coulson. He said he had decided to give him a “second chance but the second chance didn’t work out and he had to resign”.

The PM concluded by saying:

I want a police that has proved itself beyond reproach, a political system that people feel is on their side and a press that is yes, free and rigorous; that investigates and entertains; that holds those in power to account and occasionally - yes, even regularly - drives them mad.

But, in the end, is a free press that is also clean and trustworthy. That is what people want. That is what I want. And I will not rest until we get it.”

Published 8 July 2011