Leveson inquiry: Neil Wallis and Lucy Panton to appear

The former deputy editor of the News of the World, Neil Wallis, and former crime editor Lucy Panton are to appear before the Leveson inquiry this week as part of its investigation into relationships between the press and the police.

Wallis, who was arrested last July by Operation Weeting officers investigating alleged phone hacking at the paper, is expected to be asked about his contract to work at the Metropolitan police as a media relations consultant between October 2009 and September 2010.

Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson resigned last summer amid growing criticism about the appointment. The Metropolitan police director of public affairs Dick Fedorcio, who was facing misconduct proceedings over the hiring, quit yesterday.

Wallis is due to give evidence to the inquiry on Monday. The following day's witnesses include Panton, the former News of the World crime editor who was arrested by police last December under Operation Elveden, the investigation into alleged payments by the media to police officers and other public officials. She is on police bail until next month.

Also confirmed for this week are Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever and the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC.

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