Concessions win over Tory rebels as MPS overturn ‘Leveson 2’ again

MPS have overturned a bid by peers to hold a second Leveson inquiry after ministers announced a series of concessions on press regulation to win over Tory rebels.

Matt Hancock, the Culture Secretary, said that the Government would review dispute resolution procedures used by newspapers every three years.

He also announced that the Information Commissioner would review journalists’ compliance with data protection regulations every five years.

The concessions proved enough to win over Tory rebels who had been threatening to back the plans for a second Leveson inquiry into standards.

The Government decided to make the concessions because last week’s victory in the Commons was so close, that they feared defeat if there was to be another.

The Government defeated the Labour-backed Lords amendment by 301 votes to 289, with three Tory MPS rebelling. A similar “Leveson 2” proposal was defeated by nine votes in the Commons last week.

However on Monday the Lords defied the Government and voted for a new inquiry into the British press, forcing a fresh vote in the Commons. Mr Hancock said after the vote: “[I am] delighted [the] House of Commons has now voted twice – with increased majority – to defend a free and fair press.”

During the debate, the Culture Secretary said that a second Leveson inquiry was “unnecessary”.

He said: “Let us not sleepwalk into a society where high-quality journalism is decimated and democracy is damaged as a result.

“We all benefit – every single one of us – benefits from a free press which gives our country and our democracy, whether that is good coverage for us as individuals or not, the scrutiny, the uncovering of wrongs and the catalyst for debate.

“And protecting these benefits is today’s challenge and now is the time to look forward not back and to build a vibrant, free and fair press that holds the powerful to account and rises to the challenges of our times.”

Newspapers were responsible for uncovering scandals including Asian sex grooming gangs and child abuse in football, he noted.

Under one of the Government’s concessions, ministers will conduct a review into the effectiveness of Ipso in resolving disputes every three years in cases where journalists are alleged to have breached data protection.

The Information Commissioner will also review whether journalists are complying with “good practice” under data protection regulations. The regulator will have the power to demand information as part of its review.

Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, said: “This vote has betrayed victims of press abuse once again.”