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The judge chairing the inquiry into press ethics said that it was "essential" that cross-party political support for his investigation was "not jeopardised".

Lord Justice Leveson said the "politics of personality" and any impact inquiry evidence might have on current political issues was not his focus.

The judge told the Leveson Inquiry in London that nothing he said or did was intended to limit any investigation by Parliament.

He was speaking prior to hearing evidence from former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown.

"The purpose of the inquiry is not to challenge the present Government or the decisions taken in the recent past but to look at the much wider sweep of history, across party political boundaries," said Lord Justice Leveson, a Court of Appeal judge.

"To the extent that there are political questions that Parliament wishes to investigate, I repeat that nothing I say or do is intended to limit or prevent that investigation taking place."

He said failure to address the "impact of press behaviour" or the "consequence of press interests" was not confined to one government or one political party.

The judge added: "For that reason, it remains essential that cross-party support for this inquiry is not jeopardised."

Lord Justice Leveson went on: "It may be more interesting for some to report this inquiry by reference to the politics or personality or the impact of the evidence on current political issues: that is not my focus."