Peers could make THIRD bid to curb Press freedom

THE House of Lords will consider an extraordinary third bid to curb Press freedom today.

MPs rejected calls to reopen the Leveson inquiry into Press standards for a second time last week, leading Downing Street to warn peers to ‘respect the wishes of the elected house’.

No 10 said any new inquiry would be ‘backward-looking, disproportionate and costly’.

But peers will consider a fresh amendment to the Data Protection Bill this afternoon.

Lib Dem peer Lord McNally’s amendment is seen by some as a way of imposing a Levesonstyle inquiry by the back door.

It would require a judge-led review of Press complaints procedures – referencing Sir Brian Leveson’s findings – every three years. An industry source said it would amount to ‘a mini-Leveson every three years’.

Labour sources played down suggestions they would back the move, which will struggle to pass without their votes.

The previous Lords votes came despite a Tory manifesto pledge not to restart the Leveson inquiry. Tory peer Lord Attlee, who backed those bids, said it would be wrong to challenge the Commons again.

MEANWHILE, as one ancient institution successfully drags itself into the modern age, another remains as arrogant and out of touch as ever.

For a third time, the House of Lords is bidding to force through new curbs on Press freedom – despite having twice been rebuffed by the Commons.

A comprehensive clear- out of this undemocratic, unelected chamber of cronies and superannuated political hacks really is desperately overdue.