Associated Newspapers wants phone-hacking inquiry to have advisers to ‘fill gap’ in expertise
The publisher of the Daily Mail has challenged Lord Justice Leveson over the six advisers to the phone-hacking inquiry - citing concerns that the prime minister's appointees lack tabloid or regional newspaper experience.
The Guardian reports that Jonathan Caplan QC, representing Associated Newspapers, told a preliminary hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice that the inquiry would "benefit greatly" if the judge appointed additional advisers "to fill the gap" in expertise.
The application by Associated Newspapers was supported by Trinity Mirror, the Newspaper Publishers' Association and Guardian News and Media.
Caplan, according to The Guardian, said Associated did not wish to be confrontational, but the inquiry would "raise very important issues for the future conduct, regulation and ownership of the newspaper industry".
Leveson's advisory panel includes two prominent journalists –former political editor of Channel 4 News, Elinor Goodman, and George Jones, a former political editor of the Daily Telegraph. The former chairman of the Financial Times, Sir David Bell, is also one of the appointees.
Leveson said he took on board Associated's concerns and would reserve judgment until he had considered the matter fully.