LEVESON RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF PRESS INTRUSION

Local MP Mark Hunter has welcomed the recommendations from the Leveson Report, released yesterday, saying that it was "time to put a stop to ordinary people being subjected to press intrusion".

The Leveson report makes a number of additional recommendations including the introduction of a system of voluntary, independent self-regulation, overseen by an independent Board. The Leveson Inquiry was setup by the Coalition Government following the revelations that several national newspapers had illegally hacked into phones to uncover private information. The findings will be looked at carefully and debated in Parliament in the coming weeks and month.

Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, told the House of Commons yesterday that he agrees with Lord Leveson that an independent watchdog should be set up that people can turn to and that newspapers have to listen to.

Commenting, Mark said:

"This solution ensures that the ordinary victims of press intrusion have access to justice. The status quo is simply not an option.

"Contrary to what some may say, this is not about state regulation but redress for ordinary men and women who are victims of injustice.

"We need a vigorous free press that holds the powerful to account and isn't subject to political interference.

"But a free press does not and cannot mean a press that is free to bully innocent people, or free to abuse grieving families.

"People who feel they have been mistreated by powerful national newspapers need to know there is somebody prepared to stand up for them.

"The current system is too weak and it is too easy for national newspapers to ignore it."