The British Labour Party has started work on drafting its own Bill based on the Leveson recommendations for press regulation and will use it as the basis for a Commons vote if David Cameron blocks reform, it emerged last night.
The party was frustrated by suggestions that draft legislation the prime minister ordered to be drawn up was simply an exercise in showing the plans were unworkable.
It has brought in legal experts to put together proposals within two weeks that would implement the core principles of Lord Justice Leveson’s findings, a party source said last night.
Cross-party talks on the report will resume today, with Harriet Harman representing Labour and her opposite number culture secretary Maria Miller for the Tories.
In an interview with the Observer yesterday, Labour leader Ed Miliband said the Tory leader had “one last chance to show leadership” or his party would begin rallying for a Commons vote in January, which could see Mr Cameron defeated. – (PA)