View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

The Sun denies Guardian’s Leveson doorstep claims

By Andrew Pugh

News International has denied claims made on the front page of The Guardian this morning that The Sun doorstepped the junior counsel to the Leveson Inquiry.

Leveson Inquiry lawyer Carine Patry Hoskins began trending on Twitter on Monday after being dubbed the ‘woman on the left”. She was visible on the video stream during Hugh Grant’s testimony to the inquiry and aroused the interest of Twitter users.

An article by The Guardian’s Marina Hyde today claimed: ‘If you want to know how deeply the self-reproach is running over at News International, do be advised that the Sun yesterday sent a reporter to doorstep the so-called ‘#womanontheleft”.

‘Carine Patry Hoskins is the junior counsel to the inquiry who trended worldwide on Twitter on Monday after being picked up by the TV cameras listening to Hugh Grant’s testimony (how dare counsel pay attention?).’

It went on: ‘To the paper, the doorstep is routine; others might deem it the equivalent of blowing a giant raspberry at Lord Justice Leveson’s inquiry, or perhaps casually defecating on his lordship’s desk while doing a thumbs-up sign.’

Addressing Lord Justice Leveson, News International QC Rhodri Davies denied Hyde’s claims.

‘Ms Hoskins has not been doorstepped by The Sun and furthermore The Sun did not send anybody to doorstep her, so the article is inaccurate to that extent,’he said.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Davies said that of more concern was the ‘inference’that News International and The Sun was not taking the inquiry seriously. These were accusations he said the company was taking ‘extremely seriously”.

Leveson responded: ‘I would have thought there are enough issues in this inquiry without descending into the personnel who are trying their best and working extremely hard to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.”

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network