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Jacqui Hames is calling for second part of Leveson Inquiry to be held.

Actor Hugh Grant and Crimewatch presenter Jacqui Hames outside the Rolls buiilding in London. They both settled cases against media organisations on Monday

A former Met Police detective has called for the continuation of the Leveson Inquiry after settling a long-fought claim against News Group, formerly News International.

Jacqui Hames received an apology and damages from the Rupert Murdoch-owned company for invading her privacy by hacking her phone and other surveillance by the now defunct News of the World newspaper.

This took place in 2002 while then Acting Det Sgt Hames was working on a Crimewatch programme investigating the 1987 murder of Daniel Morgan.

She was married to then Det Chief Supt David Cook, who was working on the murder inquiry.

The pair were placed under surveillance by the newspaper, and private investigators working on its behalf.

The newspaper claimed it thought the couple – married with two young children – were having an affair.

In a statement released after the hearing, she called for part two of the Leveson Inquiry to go ahead.

This was meant to examine the extent of unlawful conduct at News International, other media organisations and police forces, and if police received corrupt payments from the media.

Ms Hames said: “This is clearly […] an industry wide problem which requires part two of the Leveson inquiry, to get the full scope of not only criminal activity, but activity that completely disrupted the lives of innocent people unnecessarily.

“The government appears to be supporting the news corporations in court today by failing to follow through with part two of the Leveson Inquiry.

“We once again have the press being judge and jury in their own court, and this is a situation which is completely unacceptable and that can no longer go on.

“I would really urge the government to rethink and to carry on with part two of the Leveson Inquiry.”

The Conservative Party’s 2017 manifesto ruled out resuming the hearings.

It said: “Given the comprehensive nature of the first stage of the Leveson Inquiry and given the investigations by the police and Crown Prosecution Service into alleged wrongdoing, we will not proceed with the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practice and ethics of the press.”

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