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MPs' views on the freedom of the press

The central lobby of the House of Commons
The central lobby of the House of Commons

Our Kent MPs have varied views on whether we should legislate to toughen the privacy laws regarding the media.

Here are just some of their opinions:

Tracey Crouch
Tracey Crouch

Tracey Crouch (Con), MP for Chatham and Aylesford

"I prefer a self-regulatory approach. Rogue elements are not a reflection of the media industry as a whole.

"I’d like to see a better policing operation, with the Press Complaints Commission having stronger powers."

Sir John Stanley, MP since 1974
Sir John Stanley, MP since 1974

Sir John Stanley (Con), MP for Tonbridge and Malling

"Like everyone else, journalists have to remain subject to the criminal law and to the law on libel and defamation.

"However, I attach the utmost importance to maintaining freedom of expression in Britain which is fundamental to a free society.

"I shall of course give careful consideration to the Leveson Report, but I don’t want to see politicians controlling the Press.

"Like everyone else, journalists have to remain subject to the criminal law and to the law on libel and defamation."

Charlie Elphicke
Charlie Elphicke

Charlie Elphicke (Con), MP for Dover and Deal

"I am very firmly in favour of a free press and I am totally opposed to state control of the press.

"I believe in self regulation of the press but I do feel that the Press Complaints Commission has not worked as well as it should.

"If the press is to continue to regulate itself, then whatever replaces the PCC needs to be credible."

Ashford MP Damian Green
Ashford MP Damian Green

Damian Green (Con), MP for Ashford and policing minister

"I will take a lot of persuading to support statutory regulation, not least because a lot of the worst offences in the phone-hacking scandal were already against the law."

Helen Grant meets Health Secretary
Helen Grant meets Health Secretary

Helen Grant (Con), MP for Maidstone and Weald

"We certainly need to restore public trust in the activities of our media, and I believe the majority of people within the industry will welcome this.

"I am not going to pre-judge the Leveson recommendations but I am satisfied that we have put in place the best means of establishing an appropriate and acceptable regulatory regime."

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