Piers Morgan Gives Evidence To Media Inquiry

Piers Morgan, a former editor of the News Of The World and the Daily Mirror, is giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics today.

Mr Morgan, who is now a talk-show host for the US network CNN, will appear live via a video link from New York.

In 1994 he became the UK's youngest tabloid editor, taking the helm at the NOTW aged just 28.

But his tabloid career ended under a cloud when he was sacked as editor of the Mirror in 2004.

He was forced out after the paper published pictures it claimed showed British soldiers abusing Iraqi detainees.

They later turned out to be an elaborate hoax.

Lord Justice Leveson wants to hear about Mr Morgan's experiences, ethics and practices in running two of the country's most successful tabloids.

He is also expected to be asked to explain comments about hacking, made in an interview with GQ magazine in 2007.

Mr Morgan was quoted as saying that phone hacking was "widespread" and that "loads of newspaper journalists were doing it".

He also wrote an article for the Daily Mail in 2006 in which he stated that he had been played a tape of a message Paul McCartney left on the mobile phone of Heather Mills.

Mr Morgan has always denied he ever took part or sanctioned any illegal activity during his time in the newspaper industry.