John Cleese joins ranks of Hacked Off in Parliament to voice Leveson Reform support
Comedian John Cleese has joined the Hacked Off movement, joining victims of press abuse and members of the public to rally in parliament to lobby MPs to support the Leveson Inquiry reform.
Cleese, a staple of British comedy since his days as a member of Monty Python, has joined the movement to ensure that press regulation reform does not get sidelined in the run up to the 2015 general election.
John Cleese said: “During the current parliament we have seen scandal after scandal hit the press so today members of the public will join me and Hacked Off campaigners to ensure that those scandals are not forgotten and the promises to deliver a better press are kept.
“The victims of press abuse and the public want a free press but they also want a fair and accountable press and they want to see politicians of all parties stand by the commitment to the Leveson reforms.”
Joan Smith, executive director of Hacked Off, added: “Today will see people from across the country join together to speak to MPs and to demand that politicians and parliament follow through on the promises made following the Leveson Inquiry.
Smith added that she wanted a promise from all the parties to implement the Royal Charter and the Leveson reforms after the election.
Hacked Off previously voiced its displeasure at the launch of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).
On the watchdog’s launch, Joan Smith executive director of Hacked Off, said “Ipso - created with no public consultation whatsoever - is clearly designed to defy the recommendation of the Leveson Inquiry on independence,” bringing in to question the effectiveness of the body.