The head of the Crown Prosecution Service faced criticism in Parliament this afternoon over the conviction rate of journalists and was challenged about allegations of a "witch hunt" against the industry.

Appearing before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee this afternoon, Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders denied that the CPS has been pursuing cases against journalists because of a “groundswell of attention”.

Committee member Michael Ellis MP challenged Saunders with figures obtained by Press Gazette, under the Freedom of Information Act, showing that the Metropolitan Police has spent £33.5m investigating journalists.