Former home secretary Alan Johnson had “no appetite” for police to review Scotland Yard’s original police phone-hacking investigation, the Leveson Inquiry was told today.

Sir Denis O’Connor, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said he advised Home Office officials there should be an independent review after a July 2009 Guardian story alleged the illegal interception of voicemails was far more widespread than previously believed.

He told the press standards inquiry that the idea of getting Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) involved was discussed with ministers and the then Home Secretary, but that it “never really got off the ground”.