Not even Sir Brian Leveson wants to reopen his multi-million pound inquiry into the press, claims former Culture Secretary
John Whittingdale revealed he had spoken to the top judge and he expresses 'no enthusiasm' for part two of the investigation
NOT even Sir Brian Leveson wants to reopen his multi-million pound inquiry into the press, a former Culture Secretary has claimed.
John Whittingdale revealed that he had spoken to the top judge who spent 15 months probing the media and he expressed "no enthusiasm" for part two of the courtroom investigation.
The government is currently consulting on whether to launch the second part of inquiry, which was announced in 2011 but delayed by the botched witch-hunt of journalists.
The listening exercise on whether to further examine alleged wrongdoing in the press and police, closes on January 10.
But Mr Whittingdale, who was responsible for media policy in his old role, claimed the chairman has no appetite to carry on.
He told the Today programme: "Apart from anything else, the one thing that's clear is that Lord Justice Leveson has no wish to undertake another inquiry.
"So you've got to find somebody."
Mr Whittingdale added: "He's got other jobs to do now, he's already given up 15 months of his life for one inquiry and I've talked to him and I know he doesn't have any enthusiasm."
Ministers are also consulting on whether to implement controversial plans in Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, which could see newspapers landed with opponent's' legal costs.
This measure would see newspapers which are not signed up to an officially-recognised regulator pay their own and the plaintiff's legal costs, even if they were successful in court.
Regulator Impress has received formal approval from the Press Recognition Panel, which was set up in the wake of the first Leveson Inquiry.
But it is funded by Max Mosley – exposed by the press for taking part in orgies with prostitutes.
The Alexander Mosley Charitable Trust will provide funding of around £3.8million to cover the first four years of operation for the Impress regulator.
The backing raises serious questions over the independence of Impress – a regulator set up by Mr Mosley’s family charity.
Only four per cent of Brits believe a press regulator should be funded by donations from the super-rich.
A YouGov poll found almost half believed the newspaper industry should cough up and fund themselves.
The survey, commissioned by the News Media association, also found more than two thirds of people believed social media platforms like Facebook should be subject to the same regulation as newspapers.
Most newspapers and magazines have already signed up voluntarily to a tough system of independent self-regulation under IPSO.