Lord Hunt, Press Complaints Commission

Lord Hunt said the Society of Editors conference had shown 'complete unanimity that the last thing we want is state regulation'

Credit: Max Nash/PA

The new chairman of the Press Complaints Commission plans to submit proposals for a reformed structure of the self-regulation system early next year.

Speaking at the Society of Editors conference yesterday (Monday) MP Lord Hunt of Wirral, who took over from Baroness Buscombe as chair last month, said he was also keen to open up any proposals to public consultation.

"The message from the Leveson Inquiry is very clear, we do have time, but not an unlimited amount of time. So I think we've got to come up with the right form of structure for compliance and complaints within the next few months. Early next year I think we ought to be able to put forward an acceptable structure.

"You always learn if you give people an opportunity to comment on your proposals, and that's certainly what I would like to do," he added.

"The PCC has been carefully considering how it can bring in fundamental reform ... We have to build on that and come forward with proposals in the early part of next year."

Speaking to Journalism.co.uk at the end of the first day of the conference he said he has "now got to give it further thought in light of what I've heard".

"There has been complete unanimity that the last thing we want is state regulation or any form of state regulation, so therefore there's also unanimity that we've probably got the greatest opportunity the press industry has ever had to put its house in order and to set up a structure acceptable not only in the industry, but to parliament and the public.

"So I think that's a wonderful opportunity. We now have to give thought as to what is the right strategy."

Lord Hunt speaks more about his plans in an interview with the Guardian, in which he said he wants "to be guided by the people who really know" about the issues at hand.

Earlier in the day national newspaper editors called for a "beefed up" Press Complaints Commission. One panel member, Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, described a "fairly grave combination of circumstances" facing the industry in light of recent events such as the phone-hacking scandal.

"There is a problem with the PCC," he said, adding this has become "more apparent" in recent times. "The code is great but there is a problem with the PCC."

Editor of the Independent Chris Blackhurst said all the press are "tarnished" following revelations about certain areas of the industry, saying he would like to a "a beefed up PCC" to tackle the problem.

"The PCC or another body should have the ability to effectively bar journalists from working."
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