Labour has this afternoon released its plans for a Royal Charter to implement the Leveson recommendations. It appears that the Labour Party will be working in lockstep with the Lib Dems on Monday for the Parliamentary vote, and with up to two dozen Tories expected to rebel, Cameron is facing an uncomfortable defeat.
Labour has moved towards a Royal Charter over the course of negotiations, but as one senior Shadow Cabinet member familiar with the negotiations told me yesterday – the Tories want a Dacre Royal Charter, Labour and the Lib Dems want a Dowler Royal Charter.
Here’s Ed Miliband’s statement released this afternoon – you can see Labour’s Royal Charter here:
“It has been 20 months since politicians from all parties came together to set up the Leveson Inquiry because sections of the press had inflicted unforgiveable intrusion and harassment on families like the Dowlers and McCanns.
“Back then, we all recognised that this scandal was not just about particular journalists or newspapers but also the way political leaders had failed to stand up for victims of the press before. We all promised that – this time – we would work together to find a lasting solution to prevent such harm ever happening again.
“Lord Leveson’s report recommended a new system of independent self regulation of the press and we began cross party talks with the Conservatives in the hope of reaching agreement.
“Labour, together with the Liberal Democrats, believes the model that we discussed at length in those talks can work.
“The Royal Charter proposed here would create a new independent voluntary system of self regulation for the press. It has a code setting out the high ethical standards of the best in British journalism; a complaints procedure which is easily accessible and fair; and real teeth to ensure protection and redress for citizens.
“It differs from the proposal set out by the Prime Minister in three crucial respects.
“First, this must be an enduring settlement. That means underpinning the charter with the minimum amount of legislation needed to guarantee its success and independence over time. We want to ensure that future governments cannot tamper with the new system, either by watering it down under pressure from the newspapers, or introducing new draconian measures which would threaten the freedom of the press.
“Second, the regulator should be properly independent of the press, so we would remove the industry’s power of veto over appointments.
“Finally, when wrong is done, the regulator should be able to investigate, as well as ensure a proper and prominent apology is made.
“This Royal Charter will protect vital freedoms in our democracy: the freedom of the press and the freedom of innocent people from having their lives ruined by the press. These freedoms should not be in conflict with each other: we need a press which holds to account those who abuse their power, without abusing its own.”
The vote on Monday will be compelling viewing…
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