Government move at Leveson Inquiry

May 4 2012

The Government has applied to be given the right to see Leveson Inquiry documents and witness statements in advance.

The press standards inquiry will hear an application on Friday for the Government to be named as a "core participant", those who have a significant interest in the hearings or may face criticism.

The move comes ahead of evidence next week from former News International executives Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson, which could embarrass Prime Minister David Cameron.

Core participant status would also give the Government the right to put questions to other witnesses through its lawyers.

Existing core participants for the inquiry's third module, looking at relations between the press and politicians, include Mrs Brooks, national newspaper groups and a number of current and former MPs.