Farron comments on the Leveson Inquiry

South Lakes MP and President of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron has commented on the publication of the Leveson into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press.

Tim said: "I welcome the Leveson report and its findings. At nearly 2000 pages long it must be digested and that is what I plan to do in the next few days.

"But I think everyone knows the Press Complaints Commission has failed in its duty. I have no problem with the press getting to the truth and holding politicians, the rich, powerful and famous to account. But I think that certain individuals within the press have seriously overstepped the mark on occasions in recent years. Hacking the phones of Milly Dowler, 7/7 victims, the families of dead soldiers and ruining the reputations of dozens of innocent people is unacceptable.

"Press freedom is a vital right for a vibrant and healthy democracy. But with that right comes with a responsibility. The practices of the national press when they splash a scurrilous, wrong and hurtful article on the front page, then apologise with 4 lines on page 14 several weeks later, must end. I want us to learn lessons from what has happened and make sure we build a strong but independent regulator."