Press Regulation

Debate between Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve and Lord Gardiner of Kimble

Wednesday 2nd April 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, as I said before, I think we are all seeking an outcome to command public confidence that there is a means of proper redress and that we also ensure the freedom of the press. The principles of Lord Justice Leveson’s report are based on independent and effective press self-regulation. I therefore welcome the progress in setting up a self-regulator, as I do the formation of the Recognition Panel.

[Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve (CB)]

Does the Minister consider that the Leveson recommendations will be adequately implemented if the only self-regulatory body declines to seek audit by the royal charter body?

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

I simply do not know at this stage whether—

Press Regulation

Debate between Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve and Lord Gardiner of Kimble

Wednesday 3rd July 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

I understood that. The victims are precisely why we are here. It is to ensure that this does not happen again. That is the final objective that we need to secure.

[Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve]

Is the Minister still committed to securing a royal charter that will underpin self-regulation but not self-interested regulation?

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

The intention with the cross-party charter is precisely to ensure that there is independent regulation of the press. As I said earlier, we need a free press but we need a responsible press. We need to secure a lasting settlement on both of those.