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.

@GlaikitFizzogTheChristmasElf

HUGH GRANT

Um, I don't know what to ask!

Do you like biscuits? I like biscuits! Kit kats are my favourite, or maybe a hobnob!

Serious question! What form do you think the statutory underpinning we are hearing so much about right now, should look like?

In response to your serious question...

I support the form recommended by a senior judge who sat for a year taking evidence and thinking about it for months. His name was Leveson and he recommended that any new system of self-regulation that the press came up with to replace the PCC was verified (that is the "underpinning") as being independent and effective by another body - independent of politicians - set up in law (that's the "statutory"). This is needed, said Sir Brian because for decades each system devised by the press has failed. He said it was essential. I agree, so do 80% of the public.

In fact, I would like to know if that number holds true with Mumsnetters. I would like you to write in to MNHQ and ask them to support us publicly :) If you don't...I won't come back!

I'm worth it.

And I'm only 53, so well in contention.

(BIWI lowers the tone)

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?

You can slip what you like in Mr Grant - thanks a million and Happy Xmas....

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood nice one

'as ee gone??

Hello Hugh.
Or do I have to say Mr.Grant ?

Do you think because you are famous , you have more influence on people ?

By the way , I think you can be Loreals worldwide face.

Christmas Greetings

Doing ! You norty girl !

I'm curious about this all, as it seems the media doesn't even take the threat of fines or punishments of any kind seriously. I noted comments in articles about the recent pictures taken of Kate Middleton when she was on holiday that the media figured it was worth any fines or risk of punishment.

How can it even be reigned in when the media isn't worried about the risk and the politicians are backtracking on it? Can legislation really provide the teeth to stop it?

I am genuinely interested to know whether you find yourself reading some of the newspaper stories that result from this poor practice? Do you think the papers are feeding our desire for salacious crap, or creating that desire?
FWIW I think we Iare nosey voyeurs by nature and are best not encouraged. Its easy to be horrified by the intrusion on those in the public eye and yet find yourself strangely drawn to reading the very stories you are horrified about.

But then that might just be me.

Dear Hugh,

Please could you do a bit of gratuitous swearing for us? Pretty please?

Hugh, how do you reconcile the desire of "celebrities" to be in the newspapers with their desire for privacy? Obviously it doesn't follow that just because someone is famous that that they should have their bins gone through, or their phone hacked, but I am thinking about something like being photographed on a night out. Is some intrusion on the private life a celebrity the price they pay for the benefit they gain from receiving press attention at other times? If the answer is that some things are okay but too much intrusion is not then how and where does the line get drawn, and by whom?

hacked off linky for you Hugh

@Meglet

oooo!

Since your involvement with Hacked Off have you noticed any difference in the way the paps + press treat you? Do they hold back or are they more aggressive?

To be honest, what happens to me is entirely irrelevant. In my job you're always going to get more attention than you might like, and that has never been my moan. I am pissed off about stuff that's happened to my elderly father or to the children of my girlfriend. They're not in show business and don't deserve it. But the real scandal here, is what happens to people like the Dowlers or the Bowles and about what happened with regard to the police, and the capture and ownership of our democratically elected politicians.

BIWI the tone was lowered before we even started. I think I heard Justine squealing all the way from Belfast.

You're very welcome to come for Christmas lunch, Hugh. I'll pass my details on to MNHQ for you.

Signed petition. I'm a good girl, Hugh.

Now please, please, please can I have a kiss ?

Actual genuine question , how often do you google yourself, and don't say you don't do it because.. every one does it

On a serious note - what about simply tightening privacy laws?

@SrirachaGirl

If you are offered a tin of Quality Street, which one do you go for ?

There is only one edible one; it is flat and gold and rips your fangs out.

Signed!

bugger, I'm getting this all wrong. I need to go lie down I think.

Toffee Penny

Bless ! He's that posh he doesn't know what it's called.

I'm in the 80% that support Hacked Off.

Hugh, do you worry about how the press will treat you from now on? That they might have it in for you now?