BackgroundThe Prime Minister announced a two-part inquiry investigating the role of the press and police in the phone-hacking scandal, on 13 July 2011.Lord Justice Leveson will examine the relationship of the press with the public, police and politicians. He is assisted by a panel of six independent assessors with expertise in key issues being considered by the Inquiry.Aim: The Inquiry has been established under the Inquiries Act 2005. It will make recommendations on the future of press regulation and governance consistent with maintaining freedom of the press and ensuring the highest ethical and professional standards.

Leveson InquirySet up after the phone-hacking scandal to examine media culture, practice and ethicsFirst stage examining relationships press has with public, politicians and policeWill give recommendations on press regulationEight months of hearingsEvidence from victims, journalists, media executives and proprietors, police and politiciansDue to report by end of 2012 A second phase will look at extent of illegal practices at News International and other media outlets

Leveson InquiryIt is a judge led inquiry set up by PM David Cameron to examine the culture practice and ethics of the press.

A tougher form of self-regulation backed by legislation should be introduced to uphold press standards, the Leveson report has recommended.

David Cameron stated that: he has "serious concerns" over statutory regulation whereas Nick Clegg said he supported some form of legal underpinning. Ed Milliband urged the government to accept the report in its entirety.

Recently on the BBC News:

• The Leveson report into press standards has recommended a tougher form of self-regulation backed by legislation.

• Lord Justice Leveson said the body must be independent of industry leaders, government and politicians.

• He said the press had failed to properly regulate itself in the past, but he believed the law could be used to "validate" a new body.

29th November 2012 Leveson Inquiry