Monday 9 January 2012

Sun editor to face Leveson Inquiry

The editor of The Sun and one of his most famous predecessors are set to appear before the Leveson Inquiry.
Dominic Mohan, a former showbusiness reporter who took over at the helm of Britain's best-selling daily paper in 2009, is the first of seven current national newspaper editors giving evidence this week.
Kelvin MacKenzie, who edited The Sun between 1981 and 1994, is expected to be asked about his approach to checking the facts of stories before publication.
He told a Leveson Inquiry seminar in October: "My view was that if it sounded right it was probably right and therefore we should lob it in."
Mr MacKenzie has described the press standards inquiry as "ludicrous" and suggested it is only being held because of Prime Minister David Cameron's "obsessive arse-kissing" of Rupert Murdoch.
The colourful former editor was behind a number of controversial front-page Sun headlines, including "Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster" and "Gotcha" - about the sinking of the Argentine warship General Belgrano during the Falklands War in May 1982.
The Sun's royal editor Duncan Larcombe, showbiz editor Gordon Smart and legal manager Justin Walford are also appearing before the hearing on Monday.
Meanwhile, witness statements from former Sun editors Stuart Higgins and David Yelland will be read to the inquiry.
On Tuesday, evidence will come from Daily Telegraph editor Tony Gallagher, Independent editor Chris Blackhurst and Financial Times editor Lionel Barber.
Mail on Sunday editor Peter Wright will give testimony on Wednesday, and Daily Express and Daily Star owner Richard Desmond will appear along with two of his editors on Thursday.

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