McCanns, Grant and Rowling to take part in hacking probe

The parents of Madeleine McCann, actor Hugh Grant, and Harry Potter creator JK Rowling were named today as core participants in the first stage of the inquiry into the UK phone-hacking scandal.

They are among a group of “victims” who will be represented by a barrister and have the right to seek to cross-examine witnesses and make opening and closing statements.

The group also includes Formula 1 boss Max Mosley; Chris Jefferies, the former landlord of alleged murder victim Jo Yeates; ex-England footballer Paul Gascoigne; and Bob and Sally Dowler, the parents of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

Core participant status was granted by Lord Justice Leveson who will preside over the inquiry, the first part of which will look at the culture, ethics and practices of the press and its relationship with the police and politicians.