The total cost of the Leveson inquiry in the approximately six months to the end of January was £1,992,600, according to figures released on the inquiry's website.

More than half of that sum went to the counsel to the inquiry and the inquiry secretariat staff, with the two accounting for more than £1.2m.

Information technology and telecommunications costs, which covered broadcasting and the website, accounted for more than 10 per cent - £214,700 - of the total.

Accommodation costs for the six months were £121,200.

David Cameron appointed Lord Justice Leveson as chairman of the inquiry on 13 July 2011, one week after News of the World shut down.

Hearings on the public-press relationship and phone hacking commenced 14 November last year.