Lord Justice Leveson has handed down a ruling on core participants for module four of the inquiry – looking at recommendations for press reform.

In the written ruling published yesterday, the judge said he was particularly pleased to see Bob Dowler – father of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler – and Madeleine McCann’s father Gerry.

Earlier this month, David Cameron told the inquiry if plans for a future body did not satisfy Lord Justice Leveson, that they would not work for him either.

He added: “But the point is it doesn't work for the Dowlers, or the McCanns. That's the test.”

Along with the Dowler and McCann families, core participant status has been granted to phone hacking victim Mary-Ellen Field, actor Hugh Grant, former Crimewatch presenter Jacqui Hames, Dr Evan Harris, Max Mosley, Lord Prescott and lawyer Mark Thomson.

The Media Standards Trust, non-profit organisation that launched Hacked Off, was also granted core participant status, and has submitted a report with proposals for a new system of regulation to the inquiry.

Unlike the previous three modules – examining the relationship between the press and public, the press and the police and the press and politicians – proposed regulatory solutions will be placed in the public domain in advance of being discussed at the inquiry so questions and concerns can be raised.

The Press Standards Board of Finance - the body that funds the Press Complaints Commission - was also granted core participant status.

David Cameron, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, and the Lord Chancellor Ken Clarke will retain their CP status. Applications by George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, education secretary Michael Gove, business secretary Vince Cable, and home secretary Theresa May have been declined.

Sir Louis Blom-Cooper Q.C., Ms Elaine Decoulos and Ms Caroline Mikuta were also refused core participant status.