Maria Miller has today published the proposed Royal Charter to regulate the press. It would provide the toughest regulation of the press this country has ever seen.
The proposed new system of press regulation is ready to go and would put in place up-front apologies, million-pound fines and a free arbitration service - delivering justice to victims and delivering on the Leveson principes.
What happened to the Dowlers, McCanns, Christopher Jeffries and many other innocent people was despicable. That is why the Government set up the Leveson Inquiry on press standards and started all-party discussions. The Prime Minister proposed a Royal Charter at these discussions and will now put this plan before the House of Commons.
The Royal Charter would build a new system of press regulation in our country. A new system that would prevent such appalling acts happening again, but also - crucially - a new system that would maintain the fundamental principle of a free and independent press.
Maria Miller said:
"This Royal Charter delivers on the Leveson principles. It is a tough, workable proposal and is ready to go. It would put in place the million-pound fines, prominent apologies and free arbitration service that we need. We have been talking for months and now we need action. The Royal Charter can be implemented swiftly and would put in place the toughest regulation of the press this country has ever seen.
"We remain opposed to full statutory legislation of the press. A Royal Charter would remove politicians from the process, whereas statutory legislation would give politicians control over the press".