Reacting to the news that the Secretary of State the Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP announced a consultation on press regulation, Hacked Off Joint Executive Director Dr Evan Harris said:“Many of the victims of press abuse were thrust into the media spotlight after tragic circumstances, and gave evidence over 18 months to Lord Leveson reliving the traumas they suffered. Today’s announcement of a further consultation from the Secretary of State is a disgraceful attempt to force them to go through that all over again."“This “consultation” is no more than an attempt by the Government to re-run the Leveson Inquiry, but with a conflicted Government Minister replacing an independent Judge. That is the last way decisions over press regulation should be taken.”On the possible cancellation of Leveson Part Two, Dr Evan Harris said:“The postponement and potential cancellation of Part 2 of the Leveson Inquiry is an outrageous betrayal of promises made to victims of press abuse and to the British people by the former Prime Ministers. Leveson Part Two is to look into evidence of corruption into police and the press, and a series of cover-ups. It is almost unthinkable that a Prime Minister who claims to be willing to stand up to police and corporate interests would even consider postponing let alone cancelling an inquiry into cover-ups and corruption in our major national institutions. This consultation will not change the fact that the Government gives every impression of being in hock to powerful press interests and ignoring not just the victims of press abuse, but the fact that promises were made under oath at a public inquiry and to Parliament in the Cross-Party Agreement."On the continuing interference to block the commencement of section 40 through another consultation, Dr Evan Harris said:"Section 40 was an integral part of the Leveson recommendations and to provide access to justice for those seeking to sue a newspaper for libel or intrusion. This unnecessary consultation is an attempt to head off a rebellion by the Government’s own backbenchers and opposition in the House of Lords over the Government’s caving to Rupert Murdoch and his fellow proprietors. It is more than 5 years since the Government allowed a criminal newspaper editor into the heart of Downing Street, and the Government’s current approach suggests that the malign influence of the press barons and those who would cover up press wrongdoing is very much alive in Whitehall."NotesHacked Off is the campaign for a free and accountable press. The Campaign works with victims of press abuse to achieve those aims.PRESS ENQUIRIES AND INTERVIEWS: press@hackinginquiry.org or call Nathan Sparkes on 07554 665 940