Date set for MPs to question Lord Justice Leveson

A DATE has been set for Lord Justice Leveson’s appearance ­before MPs to answer questions about the phone-hacking scandal inquiry and his blueprint for tougher press regulation, it was revealed yesterday.

A date has been set for Lord Justice Leveson's appearance before MPs. Picture: PA

The judge who led the government-commissioned investigation of media abuses will give evidence to the Commons culture, media and sport select committee on 10 October.

MPs are keen to grill Lord Justice Leveson about the ongoing stalemate over setting up a new regulator.

A deal for an independent regulator set up by royal charter was struck between the three main political parties and press reform campaign group Hacked Off.

A rival charter, drawn up by the industry and backed by most newspapers, is also being considered by the Privy Council, to the fury of some victims of press intrusion.

Critics say it fails to meet key Leveson recommendations.

The date coincides with the next meeting of the Privy Council, at which it is expected to decide whether to approve the industry-led charter proposal.

Ministers say they were obliged by the procedures of the body to allow the rival version to be considered first.

Lord Justice Leveson is also likely to face questions about why his inquiry did not examine evidence of widespread use beyond the media of rogue private investigators to steal private information.

No date has yet been agreed for the return before the committee of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. He was recalled following the emergence of a secretly recorded clip of him strongly criticising Scotland Yard’s investigation into phone hacking and corruption.

Mr Murdoch has said he welcomes the opportunity to “clear up any misconceptions”.

Lord Justice Leveson’s evidence will come a day after he appears in front of The House of Lords select committee to discuss his £5.6 million inquiry.