John Whittingdale revelations: Timeline of key events

John Whittingdale's role as Culture Secretary has been questioned Credit: PA

John Whittingdale is facing calls to withdraw from his role regulating the press after he revealed details of a relationship with a prostitute.

His position as culture, media and sport secretary has been questioned after Mr Whittingdale admitted he broke off the relationship because certain quarters of the press had found out about it in February 2014.

Here is a key timeline of events leading up to Mr Whittingdale's admission on Tuesday.

  • May 2005 - Mr Whittingdale is appointed Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee

  • 2009 - 2010 - He leads the Committee's into the News International phone hacking scandal, which eventually saw the News of the World close

  • April 2011 - Mr Whittingdale calls for a public inquiry into phone hacking at the News of the World

  • 2011 - 2012 - Leveson inquiry carries out numerous public hearings into phone hacking

  • 29 November 2012 - First part of Leveson inquiry published, meanwhile second part is yet to be published

  • August 2013 - February 2014 - The relationship Mr Whittingdale and the woman starts after the pair meet on Match.com

  • February 2014 - A journalist approaches Mr Whittingdale about the relationship, which ends around this time

  • May 2015 - The Maldon MP is appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

  • 6 April 2015 - Press hacking victims accuse Government of reneging on press reform promises

  • 12 April 2016 - Details of the relationship are revealed by Mr Whittingdale on BBC's Newsnight

  • 13 April 2016 - Calls for Mr Whittingdale to step aside from his role regulating the press