David Cameron has been accused of pushing ahead with the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking despite advice from the Attorney-General it could compromise future legal cases, it has been reported.
According to The Times on Monday, lawyers for the government argued it best to wait for a full investigation into illegal activity at newspapers - but the prime minister decided to push on regardless.
The newspaper reported: “Cameron, who has been criticised over his motives for setting up the inquiry, proceeded on the basis that it could focus initially on the broad issues of press regulation.”
This week the inquiry, headed by Lord Justice Leveson will reveal who the first oral evidence will come from. It follows an initial seminar stage which heard from newspaper editors including the Daily Mail’s Paul Dacre.
The Times added that lawyers have already warned that “the witness’s attendance could prejudice both themselves and any future criminal proceedings.”
Leveson will take up to a year on this initial stage of his inquiry, which would be well before any criminal proceedings begins.