Leveson Inquiry: Celebrities Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church, Pitted Against Newspaper Editors | HuffPost

Did The Leveson Celebrities Steal The Limelight?

Jessica Elgot— The Huffington Post UK

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Movie stars, singers and models have long been attacked for being foolish, materialistic and dumb, mostly by tabloid editors.

But the Leveson Inquiry has been more than an opportunity for celebrities like Hugh Grant and Charlotte Church to air their grievances about press intrusion.

It has been a golden opportunity for them, and others, to prove they are not just a pretty face, to reinvent themselves as campaigners and lobbyists, and to face down the editors who they claim made their lives a misery.

One of the most prominent voices in the debate on press reform has been Hugh Grant, who sits on the board of directors of Hacked Off.

The group, which counts former Reuters and Independent journalist-turned academic Brian Cathcart among its founders, says its aim is a "free and accountable press".

Hugh Grant speaking on behalf of Hacked Off at the Conservative Party conference

Its detractors say it will pave the way for state regulation of the press but Hacked Off says it has not proposed any particular form of regulation, instead calling for an "effective" system "independent of both the government and the press industry".

Grant has become the face of the celebrity movement, appearing on Newsnight, Question Time and a host of media to make the case for tougher regulation, even being pursuaded to join Twitter as @HackedOffHugh to pursue the cause.

The actor, who listed his location as 'Anywhere but Wapping' follows just 31 people, including nemesis and News International owner Rupert Murdoch, and other Leveson Inquiry journalists like Ian Burrell of the Independent and the BBC's Nick Robinson, and fellow celebrity privacy campaigner Charlotte Church.

Many, including tabloid editors and chat show host Piers Morgan, have ridiculed the actor, known for romantic comedy's like Bridget Jones Diary and Four Weddings and a Funeral, for using the cause for career purposes.

Grant, who gave evidence to the inquiry, said he wants to see "independent regulation underpinned by statute" which would likely involve parliament giving more powers to whatever body replaces the Press Complaints Commission.

Charlotte Church, who told the inquiry into media standards that she was pressured into waiving a £100000 fee to sing at Rupert Murdoch's wedding, has also used the inquiry to spearhead a privacy campaign, and will appear on Question Time to debate the issue on Thursday night, after the report is published.

Actor Steve Coogan has also taken on the campaign, appearing on numerous political talk shows and the Liberal Democrat conference to petition Nick Clegg.

Their campaigning led Murdoch to deride them as "scumbag celebrities" on Twitter and was forced to apologise.

But many have commented that the appearance of celebrities like Grant, Church, Coogan, Sienna Miller and Abi Titmuss, detracted from some of the victims of crime whose phones were allegedly hacked by the News of the World journalists.

Graham Foulkes, whose 22-year-old son David was one of the 52 people killed in the 2005 7/7 attacks criticised the inquiry for turning into a "celebrity circus".

He told BBC Breakfast: "Leveson went from being a really serious piece of work for Joe Public to OK! magazine overnight.

"The whole focus of the issue was which celebrity was on, what was he saying, what was she saying?

"And then it became the Rebekah Brooks show and the David Cameron show and the horse-riding show."

Leveson Inquiry

Leveson Inquiry(01 of53)

British actor Hugh Grant arrives to attend the press conference and publication of the Leveson report, based on a major inquiry set up after the phone-hacking scandal, in central London on November 29, 2012. Senior judge Brian Leveson said British press should have a new self-regulatory body underpinned by legislation which would provide 'an independent process to recognise the new self-regulatory body and reassure the public that the basic requirements of independence and effectiveness were met'. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Leveson Inquiry(02 of53)

British actor Hugh Grant arrives to attend the press conference and publication of the Leveson report, based on a major inquiry set up after the phone-hacking scandal, in central London on November 29, 2012. Senior judge Brian Leveson said British press should have a new self-regulatory body underpinned by legislation which would provide 'an independent process to recognise the new self-regulatory body and reassure the public that the basic requirements of independence and effectiveness were met'. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Leveson Inquiry(03 of53)

Prime Minister David Cameron makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons in London on Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(04 of53)

Prime Minister David Cameron makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons in London on Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(05 of53)

Prime Minister David Cameron makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons in London on Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(06 of53)

Max Mosley speaks to the media after Lord Justice Leveson announced his Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(07 of53)

Prime Minister David Cameron makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons in London on Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(08 of53)

Max Mosley speaks to the media after Lord Justice Leveson announced his Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(09 of53)

Chris Bryant MP carries copies of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(10 of53)

Chris Bryant MP carries copies of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(11 of53)

John Prescott is interviewed on College Green opposite the Houses of Parliament after the Leveson Inquiry is published. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(12 of53)

John Prescott is interviewed on College Green opposite the Houses of Parliament after the Leveson Inquiry is published. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(13 of53)

John Prescott is interviewed on College Green opposite the Houses of Parliament after the Leveson Inquiry is published. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(14 of53)

Chris Bryant MP carries copies of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(15 of53)

Chris Bryant MP carries copies of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(16 of53)

Chris Bryant MP carries copies of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(17 of53)

Chris Bryant MP carries copies of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(18 of53)

Kate McCann (centre) looks on as a spokesman for Hacked Off reads a statement following the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(19 of53)

Kate McCann (centre) looks on as a spokesman for Hacked Off reads a statement following the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(20 of53)

Kate McCann (centre) looks on as a spokesman for Hacked Off reads a statement following the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(21 of53)

Kate McCann (centre) looks on as a spokesman for Hacked Off reads a statement following the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(22 of53)

Kate McCann (centre) looks on as a spokesman for Hacked Off reads a statement following the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(23 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson delivers his findings into the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(24 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson delivers his findings into the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(25 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson delivers his findings into the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(26 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson delivers his findings into the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(27 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson delivers his findings into the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre in central London. (credit:PA)

David Cameron(28 of53)

British Prime Minister David Cameron leaves 10 Downing Street to make his way to the House of Commons to make a statement on the result of Leveson Inquiry, London, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Lord Justice Brian Leveson released Thursday his report, after a year long inquiry, into the culture and practices of the British press and his recommendations for future regulation to prevent phone hacking, data theft, bribery and other abuses. (AP Photo/Sang Tan) (credit:AP)

David Cameron(29 of53)

British Prime Minister David Cameron leaves 10 Downing Street to make his way to the House of Commons to make a statement on the result of Leveson Inquiry, London, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Lord Justice Brian Leveson released Thursday his report, after a year long inquiry, into the culture and practices of the British press and his recommendations for future regulation to prevent phone hacking, data theft, bribery and other abuses. (AP Photo/Sang Tan) (credit:AP)

Leveson Inquiry(30 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(31 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(32 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(33 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(34 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(35 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(36 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(37 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(38 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(39 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(40 of53)

Lord Justice Leveson with the Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press inside the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(41 of53)

Protesters outside for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(42 of53)

Protesters outside for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(43 of53)

Protesters outside for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(44 of53)

Protesters outside for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(45 of53)

Protesters outside for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(46 of53)

Bob and Sally Dowler arrive for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(47 of53)

Bob and Sally Dowler arrive for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(48 of53)

Kate McCann arrives for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(49 of53)

Kate McCann arrives for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(50 of53)

Kate McCann arrives for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

Leveson Inquiry(51 of53)

Kate McCann arrives for the announcement of Lord Justice Leveson's Report from the Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press, at the QEII Conference Centre, in central London. (credit:PA)

MPs warn PM over Leveson report(52 of53)

File photo dated 28/07/11 of Lord Justice Leveson. Prime Minister David Cameron faces fresh demands to reject statutory regulation of newspapers as he prepares to take delivery of the Leveson report. (credit:PA)

COURTS Axe(53 of53)

Mr Justice Leveson who will be the judge in the Anthony Walker murder trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Tuesday November 15 2005, where the two men accused of bludgeoning Anthony to death with an axe go on trial. Paul Taylor and Michael Barton, aged 20 and 17, allegedly attacked the 18-year-old in July as he walked through Huyton, Merseyside, with his girlfriend and cousin. See PA story COURTS Axe. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA (credit:PA)

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