Father of Madeleine McCann Urges for Enhanced Media Regulation

Gerry McCann, the father of Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in 2007 at the age of three, has called for more rigorous scrutiny of the UK's media. McCann claims that his family endured 'monstering' from parts of the press, which he believes disrupted the investigation into his daughter's disappearance.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, McCann expressed his desire for the second phase of the Lord Leveson Inquiry to resume. This phase, canceled by the Conservative government in 2018, would have investigated unlawful actions by the media and ties with politicians and police. His appeal has received backing from the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, who emphasized the necessity of implementing the Leveson Inquiry's recommendations to protect the public while supporting responsible journalism.

Despite Labour coming into power more than a year ago, McCann commented that press regulation seems to have lost its priority. Since her disappearance from a family holiday in Portugal, Madeleine has never been found. McCann recounted distressing experiences in the wake of the incident, such as journalists and photographers invading the family's privacy, which he described as overwhelming.

McCann and his wife, Kate, have joined over 30 individuals, including the kin of Hillsborough victims and the mother of TV presenter Caroline Flack, in a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The letter requests a meeting with the prime minister, highlighting a recent meeting between him and News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch.

Commenting on this issue, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy acknowledged the changes in media consumption but recognized the need for action regarding press conduct. The first part of the Leveson Inquiry, stemming from the phone-hacking scandal, was conducted between 2011 to 2012 and led to the formation of the press regulator, Ipso. McCann suggested that political fear of media retaliation has almost certainly hindered the inquiry's continuation.

McCann expressed disappointment over Labour's unfulfilled commitment to the Leveson recommendations as addressed during last year's election campaign.