Despite conceding that hundreds of Fleet Street journalists are probably guilty on face of it of breaking the law, Leveson has ruled that the crimes detailed in the Motorman files should not be investigated. Brian says that “I do not consider it necessary or desirable for the Inquiry itself to initiate any further detailed investigation of this matter”, finding that his recommendations for the future would not be helped by digging up crimes “ten years on”. The decision comes in spite of Leveson accepting that:

• Victims will now never know the extent of the crimes committed against them.
• Associated Newspapers and Paul Dacre have admitted there is strong prima facie evidence of criminality.
• The activities of Steve Whittamore may have involved other, as yet unknown, newspaper titles, more recently than previously thought.
• Journalists named in the Motorman files have been promoted to senior editorial positions.

The decision to ignore such strong evidence of serious crimes against innocent people seems against the public interest.