The incoming Chair of the University’s governing body, Council, has been appointed to Lord Justice Leveson’s inquiry panel looking into phone hacking.

Lord Currie of Marylebone, the former chairman of Ofcom, will be one of the six panel members chosen for their expertise in the media, broadcasting, regulation, government and policing, as well as their independence from any interested parties.

Two Essex honorary graduates will also be panel members: Shami Chakrabarti, CBE, Director of human rights group Liberty, who was awarded an honorary degree in 2006, and former Channel 4 political editor Elinor Goodman, an honorary graduate in 2000.

Lord Currie, a member of University Council since 2009, will become its Chair on 1 August, replacing Bill Gore.

Lord Justice Leveson’s public inquiry will examine media practices, embracing broadcasters and social media as well as the press. It will look at their relations with politicians and the police, and the extent to which the existing policy and regulatory framework has failed.