Marie Colvin Paid The 'Ultimate Sacrifice' For Press Freedom, Says Lord Leveson

Marie Colvin Paid The 'Ultimate Sacrifice' For Press Freedom, Says Lord Leveson

The judge leading the inquiry into press ethics in the wake of the phone hacking scandal has paid tribute to Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin, who was killed in Syria last week.

Lord Justice Leveson told the inquiry on Monday morning that Colvin showed "determination to illuminate events in the most dangerous corners of the world".

Colvin was killed when the press centre in the besieged city of Homs was hit by rockets on Wednesday morning.

Leveson said Colvin paid the "ultimate sacrifice" and her death underlined the need to "preserve and protect free speech and a free press".

"To say that she was a fine reporter does not to justice to the tribute she is owed. It is particularly apposite to do so duing the course of this inquiry."

Leveson also paid tribute to Paul Conroy, a photographer working for The Sunday Times, who remains trapped in Homs.

French photographer Remi Ochlik was also killed in the rocket attack that killed Colvin.

His comments came as the inquiry moved on to investigate the links between the press and the police. Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott and ex-Scotland Yard deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick are expected to voice concerns that some officers have become too close to newspaper reporters and executives.

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