David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband have today called to axe the Press Complaints Commission after the News of the World phone hacking scandal.
The Prime Minister, in a press conference this morning told journalists:
Let’s be honest: the Press Complaints Commission has failed. In this case – in the hacking case – it was, frankly, completely absent. Therefore we have to conclude that it is ineffective and lacking in rigour. There is a strong case for saying it is institutionally conflicted, because competing newspapers judge each other. As a result, it lacks public confidence. So I believe we need a new system entirely.
Mr Miliband had earlier told journalists that the PCC was a "toothless poddle".
"Our newspapers are part of our way of life. But they must reform in order to protect and restore their reputation," the Labour leader said on Friday morning.
Mr Miliband also called on Prime Minister David Cameron to admit to an "appalling error of judgement" when he hired Andy Coulson, and questioned his "personal relationships" with the people at the top of News International.
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