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Leveson Inquiry: Model's ex-advisor Field takes stand Leveson Inquiry: Ex-footballer Garry Flitcroft appears
(40 minutes later)
A former business advisor to supermodel Elle Macpherson is giving evidence to a judge-led inquiry into media ethics. Former footballer Garry Flitcroft is addressing the judge-led inquiry into media ethics and practices.
Lord Justice Leveson is hearing from alleged victims of media intrusion at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.Lord Justice Leveson is hearing from alleged victims of media intrusion at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
The inquiry last week heard that Mary-Ellen Field lost her job with Ms Macpherson after the model blamed her for stories that appeared in the media. In 2002, then Blackburn Rovers captain Mr Flitcroft lost a bid to stop the Sunday People naming him in a story alleging he had extra-marital affairs.
Comedian Steve Coogan and former footballer Garry Flitcroft are among other witnesses due to appear. Elle Macpherson's ex-adviser Mary-Ellen Field earlier told how she was fired over media stories about the model.
Margaret Watson, whose daughter Diane was fatally stabbed at school in 1991, is also set to give evidence. Margaret Watson, whose daughter Diane was murdered in 1991, and comedian Steve Coogan are due to give evidence later.
Alcoholism allegations
Ms Field told the inquiry that she and Ms Macpherson had enjoyed a "thriving business relationship" and that the model shared with her confidences that "you wouldn't normally expect a client to confide about".
She said Ms Macpherson had begun discussing a relationship breakdown with her in October 2003 but swore her to secrecy.
She said "tittle-tattle" about Ms Macpherson started appearing in the media in 2005. Ms Field said her client was concerned about listening devices in her home and had her house swept.
Later, Ms Field said that Ms Macpherson suddenly accused her of talking to the press, saying "You've been doing it without my permission." She was contacted by the model's lawyer and said Ms Macpherson started to become "grouchy" with her.
Ms Field said she had not been speaking to the media about Ms Macpherson. "Until this year I'd probably met four journalists in my entire life."
Subsequently, Ms Field said she was told she was going to be fired unless she attended a meeting and agreed to go to a rehabilitation centre for alleged alcoholism. Asked if she was in fact alcoholic, she told the inquiry she was not.
"Unless I came to this meeting and agreed to do what I was told to do I would be fired. I thought they were all mad."
She told the inquiry that Elle Macpherson told her she knew she would never have spoken to the media "were it not for my 'alcoholism'".
Ms Field said had a disabled child and needed to work. "I know I'm an idiot but I gave in. I went to this horrible place."
The staff at the centre later told her husband that she was not an alcoholic and that she had been bullied and was stressed, Ms Field said.
However, when Ms Field returned from rehabilitation Ms Macpherson still fired her from her account, the inquiry heard.
On 10 March 2006, Ms Field was made redundant by her employer, Chiltern.
When news broke of phone hacking by private investigator Glenn Mulcaire and former News of the World royal correspondent Clive Goodman, Ms Field said she decided to write to police but received no reply.
'Intimidatory tactics''Intimidatory tactics'
Today's hearing opened with Metropolitan Police barrister Neil Garnham QC questioning negative media coverage of actor Hugh Grant's appearance at the inquiry on Monday with the Daily Mail's website accusing him of mendacity.Today's hearing opened with Metropolitan Police barrister Neil Garnham QC questioning negative media coverage of actor Hugh Grant's appearance at the inquiry on Monday with the Daily Mail's website accusing him of mendacity.
Lawyer David Sherborne QC also outlined his concerns that other core participants may suffer "the sort of intimidatory tactics we saw in the press this morning".Lawyer David Sherborne QC also outlined his concerns that other core participants may suffer "the sort of intimidatory tactics we saw in the press this morning".
On Monday the inquiry heard from Mr Grant, the parents of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, celebrity lawyer Graham Shear and writer and campaigner Joan Smith.On Monday the inquiry heard from Mr Grant, the parents of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, celebrity lawyer Graham Shear and writer and campaigner Joan Smith.
Actress Sienna Miller, Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Gerry McCann - father of missing girl Madeleine McCann - are among others due to give evidence to the inquiry during its first phase.Actress Sienna Miller, Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Gerry McCann - father of missing girl Madeleine McCann - are among others due to give evidence to the inquiry during its first phase.
Prime Minister David Cameron established the inquiry in July after it was revealed that Milly Dowler's voicemail may have been hacked.Prime Minister David Cameron established the inquiry in July after it was revealed that Milly Dowler's voicemail may have been hacked.
Lord Justice Leveson is looking at the "culture, practices and ethics of the media" and whether the self-regulation of the press works.Lord Justice Leveson is looking at the "culture, practices and ethics of the media" and whether the self-regulation of the press works.
A second phase of the inquiry will commence after the conclusion of the police investigation into NoW phone hacking and any resultant prosecutions. It will examine the extent of unlawful conduct by the press and look at the police's initial hacking investigation.A second phase of the inquiry will commence after the conclusion of the police investigation into NoW phone hacking and any resultant prosecutions. It will examine the extent of unlawful conduct by the press and look at the police's initial hacking investigation.