After an inquiry into press intrusion lasting more than year, Lord Justice Leveson today delivered a damning verdict on decades of “outrageous” behaviour by newspapers.

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson secretly listened in on a phone call designed to entice comedian Steve Coogan into revealing personal information, it was alleged at the Leveson Inquiry today.

Rupert Murdoch’s hopes of significantly expanding his media empire were in ruins today after he dramatically bowed to political and public pressure and abandoned News Corporation’s £8bn bid for BSkyB.