Leveson praises 'best' Colvin

A judge conducting an inquiry into press standards in Britain today praised a award-winning foreign correspondent killed in Syria.

Lord Justice Leveson said Sunday Times reporter Marie Colvin was an example of the “best in journalism”.

He was speaking as the latest phase of the Leveson Inquiry began in London.

Ms Colvin, 56, died alongside French photojournalist Remi Ochlik, 28, in the besieged Syrian city of Homs on February 22.

Both died after a house where they were staying was shelled by Syrian government forces.

Sunday Times photographer Paul Conroy and French reporter Edith Bouvier, of Le Figaro newspaper, were injured in the attack.

The Leveson Inquiry into press standards turns today to the relationship between journalists and the police.

Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott and ex-Scotland Yard deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick are expected to voice concerns that some officers have become too close to newspaper reporters and executives.