Murdoch's News UK, publisher of The Sun and The Times, are already facing the prospect of devastating allegations being heard in court in January, when Prince Harry and Lord Watson's claims are due to go to trial.

Today, Gordon Brown has reiterated his calls for the publisher to face a police investigation.

The 'scoping exercise' - which was due to end earlier this year in July - is now confirmed to be ongoing into the New Year, an additional pressure on the organisation at a time where they need it least.

The former Prime Minister, who has been vocal in his support for Leveson Part Two, has issued a statement which is set out below. He has reported a response from the Metropolitan Police, which confirms that they are continuing to asses the evidence, long after the initial end date has passed.

A spokesperson for Hacked Off said,

"Between the trial in January, the prospect of a police investigation, and the growing clamour for Leveson Part Two, there is nowhere to hide for News UK.

"It is in the publisher's interest to end its longstanding refusal to face accountability, put itself forward for investigation and abandon its nakedly self-serving and hypocritical opposition to Leveson Part Two.'

Summary of Gordon Brown statement:

"The Metropolitan Police have confirmed their investigations into my allegations of misbehaviour within the Murdoch group are ongoing. They involve the role of senior MGN executives.

Their letter states: 'We have now completed an initial assessment of the material you have provided, which we are considering alongside past police investigations. We hope to provide a more detailed response in the New Year.'

In the light of this, I have called for them to examine new evidence as it becomes available from civil case court documents where it suggests charges for perjury and the perversion of the course of justice.

In previous letters, I have cited their attempts to cover up their destruction of emails requested by the police by incriminating me for stealing emails for News International and bribing an employee to do so. None of this has any basis in  fact.

I have now provided a witness statement supporting Lord Watson and the claimants in their cases against News Group Newspapers (NGN). My witness statement sets out my position on the false allegation that I and Lord Watson conspired to steal Rebekah Brooks' data.  I believe NGN then used to justify the deletion of millions of emails during a live criminal investigation.

After the trial concludes, I intend to provide my witness statement to the police, as it contains evidence that I believe will assist in their further investigations of criminal wrongdoing at NGN.

As the evidence  becomes available  after many years of demanding it, there is  now no hiding place  for anyone who perjured themselves before the Leveson Inquiry and has been guilty of the obstruction of justice.

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