Leveson Inquiry

Baroness Hollins Excerpts

Thursday 29th November 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

I suspect that legal aid would be available. However, this is not the evening to discuss that issue.

[Baroness Hollins]

My Lords, can the Minister suggest an appropriate and achievable timetable to scrutinise Lord Justice Leveson’s proposals for legislative action? Can he reassure the House that the case for legislation to underpin independent self-regulation will not simply be referred to another committee?

[Lord McNally]

I most sincerely hope not. As I said earlier, all-party talks started, as I understand it, at five o’clock. When I had the pleasure earlier today of sitting in on a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, they were both clearly determined that this issue would be pressed with all possible urgency. It will not run into the sand or go into the long grass, and the sooner that the press understand that and respond with a sense of urgency and reality, the better.