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13 July 2011

Cameron announces phone-hacking inquiry

The Prime Minister also proposed a change to the ministerial code, ensuring that all meetings betwee

By Duncan Robinson

David Cameron today announced an inquiry into the phone-hacking scandal. The inquiry will be in two parts, one of which will focus on media regulation in the UK, while the other will investigate the behaviour of News International and the police. The inquiry will be led by Lord Justice Leveson.

The terms of the inquiry are below (click to enlarge).

Full draft terms of reference for Phone Hacking Inquiry on Twitpic

In a surprise move, Cameron also proposed a change to the ministerial code, stating that all ministerial meetings with journalists have to be declared. The move – which may spell the end of the cozy, anonymous briefings so popular in the lobby – caused an audible stir in the House.

Cameron’s statement on phone-hacking was more cogent and polished than his performance in PMQs. Even so, both Cameron and the government are very much still on the back-foot when it comes to phone-hacking.

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