Lord Soley
Main Page: Lord Soley (Labour - Life peer)
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, as I mentioned, there will need to be due processes for the Pressbof royal charter to be considered. However, the royal charter published on 18 March continues to have cross- party support, and the support of all party leaders. It was the subject of 21 weeks of discussion and negotiation. The Government believe it would put in place a system of independent self-regulation with a robust system of redress, while protecting the freedom of the press.
Lord Soley
Will the Minister convey to the Secretary of State for Culture and, through her, to the Prime Minister the sense of outrage that is felt, not just by victims, at the way senior members of the press are trying to override the will of Parliament? They claim press freedom, but they were the ones who closed the News of the World rather than sacking the chief executive and chairman. Why are we listening to them when they ought to be showing a bit of humility and recognising the will of Parliament?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, of course I understand what the noble Lord has said. We must indeed remember why the Leveson inquiry was held. Innocent people suffered tremendous harm and we owe it to them to ensure that this does not happen again. However, that should not and does not conflict with the important place we have for protecting freedom of the press.