Levenson Inquiry in Brief: Illegality 'not tolerated' says NOTW showbiz editor; Mirror denies 'fishing' for medical records

Illegality 'not tolerated' says NOTW showbiz editor

Dan Wootton, the former showbiz editor at the News of the World, told the inquiry it had been made "absolutely clear" that illegal activity would not be tolerated at the paper following the convictions of Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire in 2007. He said every story would be read by at least four people before publication.

However, on some occasions his superiors at the paper would decide not to give the subject of a story the right to reply because of "a need to protect exclusives". Mr Wootton said most of the celebrities he had written about for the paper accepted the media spotlight as "part of the job".

Mirror denies 'fishing' for medical records

Sunday Mirror journalist Nick Owens denied going on a "fishing expedition" for confidential medical records of celebrities undergoing cosmetic surgery. The inquiry heard that Mr Owens had a meeting with Chris Atkins, the director of the documentary Starsuckers, in which he was told of a fictional contact at a clinic.

Mr Owens was told he could have access to confidential information and discussed payment and a confidentiality agreement with Mr Atkins, the inquiry was told. The 2009 film planted invented celebrity stories in tabloid papers.