FOR anyone connected with the media, and in particular with newspapers, it was another day of dispiriting evidence yesterday at the Leveson Inquiry.

The McCanns, like the Dowlers two days earlier, have been unforgivably put through the wringer by some sections of the national media. We can only imagine how they felt when confronted by a front page headline screaming “She’s dead” soon after Madeleine’s disappearance, with unsubstantiated speculation dressed up as fact.

Gerry McCann said he was disgusted by one totally untrue story which was headlined “Maddie sold by hardup McCanns” – a despicable fancy of an allegation.

These are just selected lowlights from their testimony. It went on and on – Kate McCann felt “mentally raped” when the News of the World published her diary without her permission.

It is impossible to defend. There will have to be some reform. Certain elements of the press had lost their moral compass and were out of control – and there was no one to bring them under control.

It will be as difficult for Lord Justice Leveson to devise ways to bring them to heel as it has been difficult listening to the McCanns and the Dowlers.

State regulation shackling a free press would be a sad, and dangerous, route to go down.

Despite his media mauling, Mr Mc- Cann was gracious enough to say that the press had helped the family in launching appeals and campaigns.

We believe the press can be a positive force in many ways in our communities, and that a majority of journalists behave with integrity.

It is sad to see the press’ reputation being destroyed day by day as the behaviour of a few is revealed. Now speaking up for it is as unpopular as defending bankers’ bonuses and politicians’ expenses.