Beginning of Leveson inquiry

The Leveson inquiry into media practices has today begun at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

David Cameron ordered a two-part inquiry investigating the role of the press and police in the phone-hacking scandal in July.

The first part of the inquiry will examine the culture, practices and ethics of the press, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of self-regulation.

The second part into the unlawful conduct of the press and police during the phone hacking scandal will not begin until criminal investigations and any resulting prosecutions have been concluded.

Witnesses, including the family of murdered teenager Milly Dowler and the parents of Madeleine McCann, will begin to be called from next week, while Lord Leveson said he hoped both parts of the inquiry would be concluded by September next year.
 

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