Live webchat with Hugh Grant (!!!) about the Leveson report and press reform, Monday 10 December, 8pm

[JustineMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that sleb-actor-turned-campaigner Hugh Grant (yes it's Hugh ) is joining us for a webchat tonight, Monday, December 10 at 8pm.

Hugh keen to talk to us about the Leveson report and press reform. As you probably know he's been a prominent member of Hacked Off, and before that was best known for his quintessential English gent roles in movies such as Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually.

Hacked Off is an alliance of victims of press abuse, journalists, academics, lawyers and others who successfully campaigned for a public inquiry into the phone hacking scandal.

And now that the inquiry's been held (by Lord Leveson), Hacked Off wants all Leveson's recommendations for press reform implemented.

(This webchat is focused on Leveson, so we hope you'll understand that Hugh will prioritising Qs about that ahead of Qs about his career/personal life/choice of biscuits - although, if there's time, he will do his best to address a few of those too.)

So, join us and Hugh, online at 8pm tonight. If you can't make it then, you can post up advance questions on this thread.

Im completely disgusted with the way those sections of the media treat people who have been through so much and are greiving.
It just HAS to stop.
And putting notes into childrens satchels and hassling the children of well known people. Just because their parent is well known for what they do doesnt mean their children are public property. They deserve to go through their childhood without being persecuted by greedy "journalists" .

fanjo that's tom cruise you are thinking of.

It's probably best to read a wide range of newspapers but not to really believe anything in them. I haven't read the g or the I for years but will track them down online and hope that I can understand the content!

Whomever asked, it's been this way in the US forever. The press are notorious over there for bothering the children/parents/what have you of celebs.

Hugh's the one who says "absolutely enormous knickers" to Bridget in Bridget Jones's Diary.

I hear him saying that in my head everytime I am wrestling myself into my Spanx...

@MrsChristmasVamos

Hugh, that about Sebastian is just disgusting. Do you think that the press carry on this way because all respect for others has been lost ? Any story is good, no matter how distasteful ?

I think the honest answer is that because of their enormous power some editors have operated largely above the law and above any normal standards of decency. And no one has dared to challenge them because they are a very scary enemy. The Sebastian Bowles case is not unusual. Think of JK Rowling's children having notes from reporters stuffed in their school satchels. Or the funeral of Ann Diamond's baby being plastered all over the front of The Sun. Despite her requests for privacy.

@StartRight

Hi Hugh I hope you are well.

The press intrusion to victims of crime is totally abhorrent and should be a criminal act.
However, unfortunately as so many celebrities seem to court the press and actively want any public attention, how can the press or public distinguish between news that is genuinely intrusive to the said celebrity and news that has been orchestrated as a deliberate publicity seeking action?
Do you think both parties hold some responsibility?

First of all let me say I'm wearing your shoes and think they're superb.
There are people who court publicity but in my experience, they are in the tiny minority of all those dumped in the giant vat marked celeb by the papers. Being in the papers is actually almost entirely irrelevant to the success or failure of a film or song or website. It really does come down in the end to whether its ay good or not. To say its all about being in the papers is the propaganda of those papers and justifies shoving notes in JK Rowlings childrens satchel

We are all about to sign your petition, feeling rather unticky that we haven't got round to it yet.
Excellent work.

@DameMargotFountain

Hugh

are you typing all your own answers or are MNHQ taking turns and sitting on your knee and doing it for you?

The Friends type list. Don't be afraid be very afraid

Hugh I'm looking for a step dad. Think you might be perfect. PM your details and we can set up a audition. Get your agent to contact my agent

arcovette these days I have a rule that I have to see a story in at least 3 reliable newspapers, either online or in print, before I'll believe it. Twitter, Facebook and DM do not count!

Anyone else just had an image of Hugh in high heels and still felt the swoonage?

No?JustMeThenTiggaxx

Hugh wouldn't like my knickers, Baubles. I wear a thong.

Hello, can I ask whether the swooning gets on your nerves IRL when you are trying to make sensible points? Do you think it is sexist?

@Chocolateisnottheonlyfruit

Evening Hugh,

Did the unwanted media attention that your daughter and her mother received influence your decision to become the 'poster boy' for this cause (no offence meant).

Your life has never been entirely private, but did becoming a parent increase your concerns ?

Thanks.

I was heavily involved in this before I became a father but I won't pretend that the harassment of the mother of my child and the theft of her intimate medical details by a major national newspaper didn't stoke my fire. I would tell you more but there's a law suit pending.

Petition signed and linked to on facebook. Can't think of a good question though...

Olivia was that

How could you suggest such a thing?

or

I can't believe I didn't think of that earlier?

TeeElfOnTeeShelf that is actually a pretty good rule!! I've learnt a lot tonight :)

@BaublesAndCuntingCarolSingers

You are 52?! Bloody hell

Pond's cold cream?

I made the mistake of going on Twitter recently. Apparently, you are wrong and I actually look like a scrotum.

No SP that was Tom Cruise!

Ok just about recovered from finding out he's 52 and at 27 I have noooo chance. [Sad]

I'll still sign though. But just wanted to make you aware I'm now only signing because you've convinced me rather than because fancy you.

Hugh more serious question.

do you have an opinion about the radio presenters joke that appears to have ended in the suicide of a Nurse?

Thanks for answering my question, I couldn't agree more that Cameron is still up Murdoch's backside

Signed, etc.