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Leveson inquiry: Lucy Panton - live Leveson inquiry: Lucy Panton - live
(40 minutes later)
11.05am: Panton has now completed her evidence.11.05am: Panton has now completed her evidence.
11.04am: Leveson asks whether the relationship between police and press has been too close.11.04am: Leveson asks whether the relationship between police and press has been too close.
There has not been a blurring of the lines, says Panton, adding: "I don't think on the whole that crime reporters have been over the top in meeting people in their specialist field, in a lunch sense … in a dining sense."There has not been a blurring of the lines, says Panton, adding: "I don't think on the whole that crime reporters have been over the top in meeting people in their specialist field, in a lunch sense … in a dining sense."
Each newspaper should be trying to forge good relations with potential contacts, she adds.Each newspaper should be trying to forge good relations with potential contacts, she adds.
11.02am: Asked if she has any general comments to make, Panton says that although she is not currently working as a journalist, she has heard "the lines of communication seem to have stopped" between the police and crime reporters.11.02am: Asked if she has any general comments to make, Panton says that although she is not currently working as a journalist, she has heard "the lines of communication seem to have stopped" between the police and crime reporters.
She adds that she is "very sad" to hear that and would hate for crime reporters being prevented from doing a very important job.She adds that she is "very sad" to hear that and would hate for crime reporters being prevented from doing a very important job.
"I think we need to be more clear on the … there seems to be a huge amount of attention being paid to dining out. I think that needs to be cleared up – what's appropriate and what's not," she says."I think we need to be more clear on the … there seems to be a huge amount of attention being paid to dining out. I think that needs to be cleared up – what's appropriate and what's not," she says.
Panton adds that a press officer being present whenever a journalist meets a police officer "is just not ever going to work" because of a dwindling number of PR staff.Panton adds that a press officer being present whenever a journalist meets a police officer "is just not ever going to work" because of a dwindling number of PR staff.
10.58am: Panton is asked about Justice Gross's comment that NoW royal reporter Clive Goodman "had operated in an environment in which ethical lines were not clearly defined or observed".10.58am: Panton is asked about Justice Gross's comment that NoW royal reporter Clive Goodman "had operated in an environment in which ethical lines were not clearly defined or observed".
She says: "In my role, I knew where the ethical lines were and I didn't cross them."She says: "In my role, I knew where the ethical lines were and I didn't cross them."
10.57am: Asked about the culture at the News of the World, Panton says it is fair to describe it as a tough workplace.10.57am: Asked about the culture at the News of the World, Panton says it is fair to describe it as a tough workplace.
She does not feel she was bullied by the editors, adding: "We were all put under a lot of pressure – it was the nature of the job."She does not feel she was bullied by the editors, adding: "We were all put under a lot of pressure – it was the nature of the job."
Specialist reporters were expected to bring in exclusive stories from their field, she adds. "Again, it's part of the job."Specialist reporters were expected to bring in exclusive stories from their field, she adds. "Again, it's part of the job."
10.55am: Panton is asked about private investigation Derek Webb. 10.55am: Panton is asked about private investigator Derek Webb.
She says she recalls speaking to Webb about two stories while at the NoW.She says she recalls speaking to Webb about two stories while at the NoW.
Jay asks whether one story involved a politician and their private life. Panton confirms that it was. Another was about a child abuse offender who returned to the UK after a period abroad.Jay asks whether one story involved a politician and their private life. Panton confirms that it was. Another was about a child abuse offender who returned to the UK after a period abroad.
Panton says she would not have instructed Webb – the news desk was responsible for that – but as she worked on the story she would have communicated with him.Panton says she would not have instructed Webb – the news desk was responsible for that – but as she worked on the story she would have communicated with him.
10.54am: The police would discuss privacy safeguards with a senior journalist at the News of the World when one of its reporters had been invited on a raid.10.54am: The police would discuss privacy safeguards with a senior journalist at the News of the World when one of its reporters had been invited on a raid.
Panton echoes evidence from Neil Wallis, the former NoW deputy editor, who said yesterday that the paper would rely on the police to tell it what was not reportable.Panton echoes evidence from Neil Wallis, the former NoW deputy editor, who said yesterday that the paper would rely on the police to tell it what was not reportable.
She does not believe there was preferential treatment for the NoW.She does not believe there was preferential treatment for the NoW.
10.52am: Panton's witness statement says:10.52am: Panton's witness statement says:
In group situations in the pub, we rarely discussed policing matters and would take the time to have a more relaxed interaction leaving work issues behind. "Off-the-record" means we are not able to report it under any circumstances. In these group situations in a pub, I cannot recall having an off-the-record conversation.In group situations in the pub, we rarely discussed policing matters and would take the time to have a more relaxed interaction leaving work issues behind. "Off-the-record" means we are not able to report it under any circumstances. In these group situations in a pub, I cannot recall having an off-the-record conversation.
10.51am: Panton is asked about the phrase "off the record". She understands that to mean not reportable under any circumstances.10.51am: Panton is asked about the phrase "off the record". She understands that to mean not reportable under any circumstances.
Leveson says this is different to what other journalists believe the phrase to mean.Leveson says this is different to what other journalists believe the phrase to mean.
Panton replies: "Then that should be clarified".Panton replies: "Then that should be clarified".
10.49am: Panton says she didn't get too involved in internal gossip about senior officers at the Met as it wasn't of interest to the News of the World.10.49am: Panton says she didn't get too involved in internal gossip about senior officers at the Met as it wasn't of interest to the News of the World.
10.48am: Panton says she does not believe the News of the World was in a "special position" with the police.10.48am: Panton says she does not believe the News of the World was in a "special position" with the police.
10.47am: Panton says she would meet police officers through other officers.10.47am: Panton says she would meet police officers through other officers.
She adds that she is friends with other crime reporters and gets on with most people.She adds that she is friends with other crime reporters and gets on with most people.
Sunday crime reporters have to be looking for information not already in the public domain. "You have to go beyond, and find something new," she says.Sunday crime reporters have to be looking for information not already in the public domain. "You have to go beyond, and find something new," she says.
Panton adds that she did not go out there to forge better relationships with officers than her rivals, and adds: "I didn't see it as a competition or favouritism."Panton adds that she did not go out there to forge better relationships with officers than her rivals, and adds: "I didn't see it as a competition or favouritism."
10.46am: On the issue of "preferential treatment", Panton's witness statement says:10.46am: On the issue of "preferential treatment", Panton's witness statement says:

I do not believe the DPA gave preferential treatment to some titles over
others. I do not consider that I or the News of the World got preferential
treatment.
I do not believe the DPA gave preferential treatment to some titles over
others. I do not consider that I or the News of the World got preferential
treatment.
10.45am: Panton says in her witness statement that she has never met a police officer who divulged information that they were not authorised to reveal.10.45am: Panton says in her witness statement that she has never met a police officer who divulged information that they were not authorised to reveal.
Lord Justice Leveson asks whether her relationship with senior officers was similar to other members of the Crime Reporters' Association.Lord Justice Leveson asks whether her relationship with senior officers was similar to other members of the Crime Reporters' Association.
Panton says she cannot know what information other crime reporters were given, but that those who knew senior officers better built up trust and "would be spoken to in a more informal way" and may be treated to one-on-one briefings.Panton says she cannot know what information other crime reporters were given, but that those who knew senior officers better built up trust and "would be spoken to in a more informal way" and may be treated to one-on-one briefings.
10.41am: Panton's witness statement deals with the "champagne" issue:10.41am: Panton's witness statement deals with the "champagne" issue:
I have found it rather bizarre that there seems to be such interest in what champagne I did or did not drink. I enjoy champagne but do not drink it often. I have two children, meaning I was trying to get pregnant, pregnant and breastfeeding for a large amount of the time of the period in question so therefore was unable to drink much alcohol for much of the period in question.I have found it rather bizarre that there seems to be such interest in what champagne I did or did not drink. I enjoy champagne but do not drink it often. I have two children, meaning I was trying to get pregnant, pregnant and breastfeeding for a large amount of the time of the period in question so therefore was unable to drink much alcohol for much of the period in question.
I believe that a distorted picture has been presented of how journalists carry out their business. We do not live a champagne lifestyle and the reality of the day-to-day grind of journalism is far from glamorous. Other crime journalists and I work hard in a fast-moving business covering often horrendous crimes, to help bring the culprits to justice and break stories that are of public interest.I believe that a distorted picture has been presented of how journalists carry out their business. We do not live a champagne lifestyle and the reality of the day-to-day grind of journalism is far from glamorous. Other crime journalists and I work hard in a fast-moving business covering often horrendous crimes, to help bring the culprits to justice and break stories that are of public interest.
10.39am: Panton confirms she has drunk champagne with police officers.10.39am: Panton confirms she has drunk champagne with police officers.
She says she would drink a couple of glasses of champagne at Crime Reporters' Association dinners. "It didn't flow in huge quantities," she adds.She says she would drink a couple of glasses of champagne at Crime Reporters' Association dinners. "It didn't flow in huge quantities," she adds.
However, she says she did not drink champagne with Andy Hayman on 1 February 2007 at the Oriel restaurant.However, she says she did not drink champagne with Andy Hayman on 1 February 2007 at the Oriel restaurant.
10.36am: Panton is asked about the "inkjet plot" story which she discussed with a newsdesk executive, James Mellor.10.36am: Panton is asked about the "inkjet plot" story which she discussed with a newsdesk executive, James Mellor.
Mellor sent Panton an email saying: "John Yates could be crucial here. Have you spoken to him? Really need an excl splash line so time to call in all those bottles of champagne …"Mellor sent Panton an email saying: "John Yates could be crucial here. Have you spoken to him? Really need an excl splash line so time to call in all those bottles of champagne …"
Panton says there was no champagne and Mellor was engaged in "banter" with her.Panton says there was no champagne and Mellor was engaged in "banter" with her.
"I would call that banter. It's the way people spoke to each other in our office. I would read that at that time as banter mixed with a bit of pressure," she says."I would call that banter. It's the way people spoke to each other in our office. I would read that at that time as banter mixed with a bit of pressure," she says.
Panton adds that she did phone Yates but did not get to speak to him. "That was the reality; week in, week out," she says.Panton adds that she did phone Yates but did not get to speak to him. "That was the reality; week in, week out," she says.
10.34am: Panton's witness statement has just been published on the Leveson inquiry website.10.34am: Panton's witness statement has just been published on the Leveson inquiry website.
10.31am: News editors wanted to get "back of the book" stories for the News of the World done on a Friday, Panton says. She adds that she was under pressure to file this story from Fedorcio's computer.10.31am: News editors wanted to get "back of the book" stories for the News of the World done on a Friday, Panton says. She adds that she was under pressure to file this story from Fedorcio's computer.
"Journalist instinct took over and I did what it took to get the news desk off my back," she says."Journalist instinct took over and I did what it took to get the news desk off my back," she says.
Panton says she recognises that "people might start asking questions" in the office when they see that the story was filed from a Scotland Yard email address, even though her byline was on the story.Panton says she recognises that "people might start asking questions" in the office when they see that the story was filed from a Scotland Yard email address, even though her byline was on the story.
She adds that the bosses she sent the story to may have forwarded it to others in the office. Panton denies that Fedorcio asked her to add a message to her story; the inquiry is not told what that message was.She adds that the bosses she sent the story to may have forwarded it to others in the office. Panton denies that Fedorcio asked her to add a message to her story; the inquiry is not told what that message was.
"I'm not very good at technology – cutting and pasting on a BlackBerry was beyond me and still is," she says."I'm not very good at technology – cutting and pasting on a BlackBerry was beyond me and still is," she says.
10.26am: Jay asks about the occasion when Panton filed a story from Fedorcio's computer in Scotland Yard.10.26am: Jay asks about the occasion when Panton filed a story from Fedorcio's computer in Scotland Yard.
Panton says that was the only occasion she used his computer. She adds that she was sat at his desk but can't recall whether it was a "mainframe computer" or a laptop.Panton says that was the only occasion she used his computer. She adds that she was sat at his desk but can't recall whether it was a "mainframe computer" or a laptop.
The story she filed cited a "prison source"; she tells Jay that this source was not inside Wandsworth prison but was another journalist.The story she filed cited a "prison source"; she tells Jay that this source was not inside Wandsworth prison but was another journalist.
Asked whether this source was a frequent source for stories, Panton refuses to discuss it, but says "I know this journalist very well … I had no doubt they had a prison source."Asked whether this source was a frequent source for stories, Panton refuses to discuss it, but says "I know this journalist very well … I had no doubt they had a prison source."
10.23am: Panton is asked about her relationship with Dick Fedorcio, the former Met police head of public affairs.10.23am: Panton is asked about her relationship with Dick Fedorcio, the former Met police head of public affairs.
She says he was important "in trying to encourage the DPA to explain to police officers what a Sunday paper needs", citing briefings and "things to be held back".She says he was important "in trying to encourage the DPA to explain to police officers what a Sunday paper needs", citing briefings and "things to be held back".
For example, in a court case the police will hold a post-trial briefing and Panton, as a representative of the Sunday titles in the Crime Reporters' Association, would ask the force to hold some details back for them.For example, in a court case the police will hold a post-trial briefing and Panton, as a representative of the Sunday titles in the Crime Reporters' Association, would ask the force to hold some details back for them.
"He was incredibly important to me for that," she says."He was incredibly important to me for that," she says.
10.20am: Crime stories in the News of the World were predominantly those involving children or high-profile murders, Panton says.10.20am: Crime stories in the News of the World were predominantly those involving children or high-profile murders, Panton says.
She adds that today's story about the 15-year-old convicted of murdering his mother with a hammer would be something that the News of the World would be interested in.She adds that today's story about the 15-year-old convicted of murdering his mother with a hammer would be something that the News of the World would be interested in.
Speaking to officers on newsworthy cases was an important part of her job, Panton says.Speaking to officers on newsworthy cases was an important part of her job, Panton says.
10.19am: Panton regards all police officers she knows as "confidential contacts".10.19am: Panton regards all police officers she knows as "confidential contacts".
She says she cannot recall any dinners with former Met police assistant commissioner Andy Hayman.She says she cannot recall any dinners with former Met police assistant commissioner Andy Hayman.
Jay asks whether Yates and Hayman provided information of interest to the News of the World.Jay asks whether Yates and Hayman provided information of interest to the News of the World.
"They provided general background on policing and the areas that they were specialists in, which varied over the years and changed," Panton says."They provided general background on policing and the areas that they were specialists in, which varied over the years and changed," Panton says.
Other journalists would attend these briefings, she adds. Yates and Hayman were interested to know what journalists and the readers of their newspapers thought of policing issues, she says.Other journalists would attend these briefings, she adds. Yates and Hayman were interested to know what journalists and the readers of their newspapers thought of policing issues, she says.
Panton describes Yates and Hayman as in the "not so forthcoming" category – "unfortunately," she adds.Panton describes Yates and Hayman as in the "not so forthcoming" category – "unfortunately," she adds.
She says they were very helpful in broad terms because they were experts in their area, but "they weren't forthcoming … in News of the World stories".She says they were very helpful in broad terms because they were experts in their area, but "they weren't forthcoming … in News of the World stories".
10.13am: Panton says she did not socialise with Yates outside of work, adding: "The wedding was the only occasion; there were a lot of people at my wedding."10.13am: Panton says she did not socialise with Yates outside of work, adding: "The wedding was the only occasion; there were a lot of people at my wedding."
10.11am: Lord Justice Leveson says that he is concerned with the impact on the Metropolitan police of the relationship between some officers and the press.10.11am: Lord Justice Leveson says that he is concerned with the impact on the Metropolitan police of the relationship between some officers and the press.
He says Panton was "perfectly entitled" to invite Yates to her wedding, but adds that the relationship as described so far "doesn't seem to me to fit into, 'well let's have him at our wedding'".He says Panton was "perfectly entitled" to invite Yates to her wedding, but adds that the relationship as described so far "doesn't seem to me to fit into, 'well let's have him at our wedding'".
10.10am: Panton says that Yates was at her wedding "along with many other police officers". Asked whether they were senior officers, she says they were of different ranks.10.10am: Panton says that Yates was at her wedding "along with many other police officers". Asked whether they were senior officers, she says they were of different ranks.
She says that some of the officers who attended her wedding were "friends" and that it is difficult to describe them as "contacts". She adds that it would be unfair to name them.She says that some of the officers who attended her wedding were "friends" and that it is difficult to describe them as "contacts". She adds that it would be unfair to name them.
10.09am: Panton says she first met John Yates a decade ago, when she was on the Sunday People. "I don't recall attending lunches with Mr Yates until the anti-terror role, which is later than 2005," she adds.10.09am: Panton says she first met John Yates a decade ago, when she was on the Sunday People. "I don't recall attending lunches with Mr Yates until the anti-terror role, which is later than 2005," she adds.
10.08am: Panton says her contact with commissioner John Stevens was limited to occasional lunches through the Crime Reporters' Association (CRA).10.08am: Panton says her contact with commissioner John Stevens was limited to occasional lunches through the Crime Reporters' Association (CRA).
Her contact with Lord Blair was "minimal".Her contact with Lord Blair was "minimal".
She says her contact with Sir Paul Stephenson was greater, but "only marginally"; she has never had a meal with him.She says her contact with Sir Paul Stephenson was greater, but "only marginally"; she has never had a meal with him.
10.07am: The hearing has begun and Lucy Panton takes the stand.10.07am: The hearing has begun and Lucy Panton takes the stand.
Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is doing the questioning.Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is doing the questioning.
10.05am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.10.05am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
Former News of the World crime editor Lucy Panton is today's key witness.Former News of the World crime editor Lucy Panton is today's key witness.
Panton was told by a news editor to "call in all those bottles of champagne" to get inside information about a terrorist plot from ex-Scotland Yard anti-terrorism chief John Yates, the inquiry has heard.Panton was told by a news editor to "call in all those bottles of champagne" to get inside information about a terrorist plot from ex-Scotland Yard anti-terrorism chief John Yates, the inquiry has heard.
And former Metropolitan police communications chief Dick Fedorcio let her use his office computer and personal email account to file a story about controversial former police commander Ali Dizaei, who was jailed for corruption in 2010.And former Metropolitan police communications chief Dick Fedorcio let her use his office computer and personal email account to file a story about controversial former police commander Ali Dizaei, who was jailed for corruption in 2010.
Panton, who is married to a Scotland Yard detective, was arrested in December on suspicion of making corrupt payments to police officers. She was later bailed and has not been charged.Panton, who is married to a Scotland Yard detective, was arrested in December on suspicion of making corrupt payments to police officers. She was later bailed and has not been charged.
Yates has told the inquiry he "may well" have drunk champagne with Panton, but denied he did her any favours in return.Yates has told the inquiry he "may well" have drunk champagne with Panton, but denied he did her any favours in return.
Lord Justice Leveson will also hold a hearing today to discuss arrangements for the next module of his inquiry, which will look at relations between newspapers and politicians.Lord Justice Leveson will also hold a hearing today to discuss arrangements for the next module of his inquiry, which will look at relations between newspapers and politicians.
Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.