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Leveson Inquiry: Heather Mills denies allowing voicemail access Leveson Inquiry: Heather Mills denies allowing voicemail access
(40 minutes later)
The former wife of Sir Paul McCartney has denied authorising former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan to access her voicemail messages.The former wife of Sir Paul McCartney has denied authorising former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan to access her voicemail messages.
Heather Mills told the Leveson Inquiry about an incident in 2001 after she returned from a holiday in India.Heather Mills told the Leveson Inquiry about an incident in 2001 after she returned from a holiday in India.
She said after a row he left her 25 voicemail messages, including a "ditty", begging forgiveness.She said after a row he left her 25 voicemail messages, including a "ditty", begging forgiveness.
Ms Mills said another journalist later told her he knew there had been problems and mentioned the song.Ms Mills said another journalist later told her he knew there had been problems and mentioned the song.
Mr Morgan, now a chat show host, has previously told the inquiry he listened to a voicemail message left for Mills by Sir Paul, but refused to say when or where because he wanted to protect a "source".Mr Morgan, now a chat show host, has previously told the inquiry he listened to a voicemail message left for Mills by Sir Paul, but refused to say when or where because he wanted to protect a "source".
Ms Mills said she had never authorised Morgan or anybody else to access or listen to her voicemails.Ms Mills said she had never authorised Morgan or anybody else to access or listen to her voicemails.
"I couldn't quite believe that he would even try to insinuate, a man that has written nothing but awful things about me for years, would relish in telling the court if I had played a voicemail message to him," she said."I couldn't quite believe that he would even try to insinuate, a man that has written nothing but awful things about me for years, would relish in telling the court if I had played a voicemail message to him," she said.
Ms Mills, whose statement has now been posted online, said press coverage of her was quite favourable after the accident in 1993 when she lost her leg.Ms Mills, whose statement has now been posted online, said press coverage of her was quite favourable after the accident in 1993 when she lost her leg.
But she said: "As soon as I met him (Sir Paul) it became 'one-legged bitch' and 'cow' and every awful word you can think of."But she said: "As soon as I met him (Sir Paul) it became 'one-legged bitch' and 'cow' and every awful word you can think of."
'Lies and abuse''Lies and abuse'
She criticised the "postage stamp-sized apologies" which newspapers were forced to make following inaccurate stories about her.She criticised the "postage stamp-sized apologies" which newspapers were forced to make following inaccurate stories about her.
Ms Mills said: "My personal view is that until there is a disincentive to write lies and abusive comments it's going to continue.Ms Mills said: "My personal view is that until there is a disincentive to write lies and abusive comments it's going to continue.
"If you know you are going to be embarrassed by front page apologies every week I think you'd stop.""If you know you are going to be embarrassed by front page apologies every week I think you'd stop."
She said tiny apologies, years later, were inadequate and added: "The public believe the (original) lies."She said tiny apologies, years later, were inadequate and added: "The public believe the (original) lies."
She also called for all photographers to be licensed and newspapers should only be able to use licensed photographers.She also called for all photographers to be licensed and newspapers should only be able to use licensed photographers.
Earlier former News of the World (NoW) news editor Ian Edmondson agreed with Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, that there was a "culture of bullying" at the NoW.Earlier former News of the World (NoW) news editor Ian Edmondson agreed with Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, that there was a "culture of bullying" at the NoW.
When asked if ex-NoW editor Colin Myler was part of that culture, Mr Edmondson agreed he was, but said as he was awaiting an employment tribunal against News International and did not wish to go into detail.When asked if ex-NoW editor Colin Myler was part of that culture, Mr Edmondson agreed he was, but said as he was awaiting an employment tribunal against News International and did not wish to go into detail.
Solicitor surveillance
Mr Jay asked Mr Edmondson about the decision to rebrand private investigator Derek Webb as a journalist, complete with a National Union of Journalists (NUJ) press card.Mr Jay asked Mr Edmondson about the decision to rebrand private investigator Derek Webb as a journalist, complete with a National Union of Journalists (NUJ) press card.
He admitted it was a "sham" but he said Mr Webb's surveillance experience was valuable and attempts to use journalists to conduct surveillance had not been successful in the past because they were not properly trained.He admitted it was a "sham" but he said Mr Webb's surveillance experience was valuable and attempts to use journalists to conduct surveillance had not been successful in the past because they were not properly trained.
Mr Edmondson said he believed Mr Myler and News International lawyer Tom Crone were aware of the "pretence".Mr Edmondson said he believed Mr Myler and News International lawyer Tom Crone were aware of the "pretence".
When asked about surveillance on solicitor Mark Lewis, Mr Edmondson said he did not understand the point, as he "didn't see it as a story. It wouldn't have got into the paper".
He was later asked about reporter Neville Thurlbeck's attempts to contact two women who were involved in the attempt to expose Formula 1 boss Max Mosley over his involvement in a sado-masochistic sex session.He was later asked about reporter Neville Thurlbeck's attempts to contact two women who were involved in the attempt to expose Formula 1 boss Max Mosley over his involvement in a sado-masochistic sex session.
Mr Edmondson, whose statement to the inquiry has now been published on the Leveson Inquiry website, said that on reflection they read like "threats".Mr Edmondson, whose statement to the inquiry has now been published on the Leveson Inquiry website, said that on reflection they read like "threats".
'Poor behaviour'
Earlier the founder of one of the world's biggest photography agencies has told the Leveson Inquiry he follows the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) code.Earlier the founder of one of the world's biggest photography agencies has told the Leveson Inquiry he follows the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) code.
Darryn Lyons, who set up Big Pictures, said he had no reason to believe paparazzi he uses acted unethically.Darryn Lyons, who set up Big Pictures, said he had no reason to believe paparazzi he uses acted unethically.
He also accused celebrities and their public relations people of using paparazzi as a "publicity tool" to "raise their profile".He also accused celebrities and their public relations people of using paparazzi as a "publicity tool" to "raise their profile".
Carine Patry Hoskins, counsel to the inquiry, asked him about a paragraph in his book in which he mentions an incident outside the home of TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson in which photographers employed by him "almost caused a major accident". Also appearing on Thursday was Michelle Stanistreet, the general secretary of the NUJ, who said she found it "staggering" News International sought out a NUJ press card for Mr Webb, because it "does not even let the union's officials across its threshold".
Mr Lyons, href="http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Witness-Statement-of-Darryn-Lyons.pdf" >whose statement has been published on the inquiry website, said: "In that case the photographers were disciplined in no uncertain terms." The company has its own union, the News International Staff Association.
Ms Hoskins also asked him about proceedings brought in 2009 by actress Sienna Miller for "harassment" and "invasion of privacy", which resulted in her being awarded £53,000 in damages and the agency forbidden from following her in future. Ms Stanistreet told the Leveson Inquiry journalists should have a "conscience clause" allowing them to refuse something unethical.
Mr Lyons said that incident stemmed from photographs his people took of her on a yacht in the Mediterranean with Balthazar Getty. She also told the inquiry she had interviewed 40 journalists about ethics and bullying, 12 of whom allowed her to record them in a document which she presented to Lord Justice Leveson.
He said: "At the end of the day celebrities court publicity when they want to court publicity and then all of a sudden they want to switch it off. One of those journalists was a former NoW reporter who said there was a "sexist and degrading" culture at the NoW and junior reporters had to do stunts, including dressing up in meat to imitate singer Lady GaGa.
"I don't believe people should be hounded up and down the street but I do believe that as part of history people should be able to take photographs in public places and I am adamant about it. We have a freedom of the press."
Also appearing on Thursday morning was Michelle Stanistreet, the general secretary of the NUJ, who told the Leveson Inquiry journalists should have a "conscience clause" allowing them to refuse something unethical.
"When faced with pressure to do something unethical and something which contravenes the NUJ code of conduct they could evoke that clause and take that stance and can't be then sacked for not doing what is in their employment contract," she said.
Ms Stanistreet told the inquiry she had interviewed 40 journalists about ethics and bullying, 12 of whom allowed her to record them in a document which she presented to Lord Justice Leveson.
One of those journalists was a former NoW reporter who said there was a "sexist and degrading" culture at the NoW and junior reporters had to do stupid stunts, including dressing up in meat to imitate singer Lady GaGa.
At this point Lord Leveson interrupted proceedings to say: "I would like to repeat that I consider a great majority of the journalism in this country is very much in the public interest and a very great credit. That is not to say there is not some which, given the evidence, of which I will take a different view."At this point Lord Leveson interrupted proceedings to say: "I would like to repeat that I consider a great majority of the journalism in this country is very much in the public interest and a very great credit. That is not to say there is not some which, given the evidence, of which I will take a different view."
He said: "The mere fact we are focusing on poor behaviour... should not be taken as a view that this is what I think of the world."He said: "The mere fact we are focusing on poor behaviour... should not be taken as a view that this is what I think of the world."
Lord Leveson compared his inquiry with Dame Janet Smith's probe into the medical profession following the exposure of murderous GP Harold Shipman. Ms Stanistreet said the NUJ was also completely opposed to the idea of journalists needing licences to practice their profession.
She also claimed the increasing "casualisation" of the industry may have reduced the ability for individual journalists to resist pressure to carry out unethical activities.
The other witnesses due to give evidence on Thursday are PR guru Max Clifford and Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, who is being recalled.The other witnesses due to give evidence on Thursday are PR guru Max Clifford and Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, who is being recalled.