Why hasn't Labour bowed to pressure for 'Leveson 2'?

Gerry McCann, the father of Madeleine McCann, has written to the prime minister urging him to resume the Leveson Inquiry into the conduct and regulation of the media.

- SEAN O'GRADY

In a rare interview, he has described the “monstering” his family received in the press after his daughter’s disappearance. He adds that they were “lucky to survive” such treatment.

A number of other interested parties cosigned the letter, including families affected by the Hillsborough tragedy, survivors and relatives of those killed in the 7/7 bombings, and the mother of the late television presenter Caroline Flack. They’ve asked for a meeting with Keir Starmer to discuss the activities of Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers and for “Leveson 2” to be convened.

McCann has received a statement of support from Prince Harry, who yesterday said he “stands firmly with all those harmed by unethical and unlawful press intrusion”.

What’s the government’s response?

Negative, as it has been for some time. Last year, after ITV screened a documentary on Madeleine’s case, McCann asked Starmer to take action, but the newly elected PM responded: “We set out in our manifesto our programme for action for this government, we've laid that out in the King’s Speech, that clearly sets out our priorities - and the second half of Leveson is not among them.”