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Leveson report: Clegg to make separate statement to MPs Leveson report: Clegg to make separate statement to MPs
(35 minutes later)
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to make his own statement on the Leveson report in the Commons after reportedly failing to agree on a response with David Cameron on press regulation. The deputy prime minister is to make his own statement in the Commons on the Leveson report after reportedly failing to agree a united government response with David Cameron on press regulation.
Lib Dem aides say the decision does not represent "a massive split or disagreement" within the coalition. Lib Dem aides say Nick Clegg's decision does not represent "a massive split or disagreement" within the coalition.
Lord Justice Leveson's report into the culture, practice and ethics of the press will be published at 13:30 GMT.Lord Justice Leveson's report into the culture, practice and ethics of the press will be published at 13:30 GMT.
His inquiry heard from politicians, press and media intrusion victims.His inquiry heard from politicians, press and media intrusion victims.
They included the actor Hugh Grant, singer Charlotte Church and the family of murdered teenager Milly Dowler.They included the actor Hugh Grant, singer Charlotte Church and the family of murdered teenager Milly Dowler.
Milly's parents, Bob and Sally Dowler, and Mr Grant arrived at the QEII Conference Centre in central London, where copies of the report are being made available to inquiry participants before its official publication.Milly's parents, Bob and Sally Dowler, and Mr Grant arrived at the QEII Conference Centre in central London, where copies of the report are being made available to inquiry participants before its official publication.
It is understood the report, which runs to hundreds of pages, criticises press, politicians and police. It is understood the report, which is said to run to about 2,000 pages, criticises press, politicians and police.
On Wednesday, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg were given advance copies.On Wednesday, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg were given advance copies.
The prime minister and his deputy met twice ahead of the report's publication in an effort to agree on a unified government response to Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations. The prime minister and his deputy met twice ahead of the report's publication in an effort to agree on a unified government statement to Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations.
Aides to Nick Clegg say his decision to make a separate statement on Leveson does not represent "a massive split or disagreement" within the coalition.
Sources say Mr Clegg's differences with the prime minister over the Leveson report are "nuanced".
They say there are some areas on which the two men agree and others where they disagree.
It's understood Mr Clegg's staff are in talks with the Speaker's office over the procedure for his statement. However, it is thought Mr Clegg will make a separate statement after the prime minister on which MPs will be able to question him.
Sources say Mr Clegg reached his decision "after sleeping on it overnight".
However, the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson says, according to sources, the two men will agree on some things but both will refer to the areas on which they disagree when they speak in the Commons.However, the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson says, according to sources, the two men will agree on some things but both will refer to the areas on which they disagree when they speak in the Commons.
It seems then that David Cameron and Nick Clegg disagree over what to do about press regulation.
The specifics and extent of that disagreement are as yet unclear - since we don't yet know what Lord Justice Leveson is to propose.
Sources close to the Lib Dem leader describe the differences as "nuanced".
That is difficult to believe, since nuances should not really require the deputy prime minister to make his own separate statement in the Commons following Mr Cameron.
Differences of view at the top of government are not new. This is, after all, a coalition of two parties in power.
But a split will make it harder for the government to present a robust and clear response to Leveson, opening it up to accusations that it is ducking the hard questions for fear of a press backlash.
It will the first time since the coalition was formed in May 2010 that MPs will hear two different views from the government.It will the first time since the coalition was formed in May 2010 that MPs will hear two different views from the government.
A Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed Mr Cameron would be making a statement in his role as prime minister while Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg would be speaking in his capacity as deputy prime minister.A Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed Mr Cameron would be making a statement in his role as prime minister while Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg would be speaking in his capacity as deputy prime minister.
The prime minister's statement to the Commons will be directly followed by a response from Labour leader Ed Miliband, who received his own copy of the Leveson report in the morning.The prime minister's statement to the Commons will be directly followed by a response from Labour leader Ed Miliband, who received his own copy of the Leveson report in the morning.
MPs will then have a chance to debate the PM's statement before Mr Clegg addresses them and Labour's deputy leader and shadow culture secretary, Harriet Harman, will then respond to the DPM.MPs will then have a chance to debate the PM's statement before Mr Clegg addresses them and Labour's deputy leader and shadow culture secretary, Harriet Harman, will then respond to the DPM.
'Little trust'
Claims that News of the World journalists had hacked the voicemail of Milly Dowler led to the closure of the Sunday tabloid and prompted Mr Cameron to set up the inquiry.Claims that News of the World journalists had hacked the voicemail of Milly Dowler led to the closure of the Sunday tabloid and prompted Mr Cameron to set up the inquiry.
Lord Justice Leveson is widely expected to recommend some form of statutory press regulation overseen by an independent body.Lord Justice Leveson is widely expected to recommend some form of statutory press regulation overseen by an independent body.
Many Conservatives oppose the possibility of statutory regulation while Liberal Democrats are understood to be ready to support such a move.Many Conservatives oppose the possibility of statutory regulation while Liberal Democrats are understood to be ready to support such a move.
The press is currently self-regulated through the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).The press is currently self-regulated through the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).
The BBC's political editor said everyone was seeking independent regulation but the question was what that meant and whether a new law was needed to establish it and make sure all newspapers took part.The BBC's political editor said everyone was seeking independent regulation but the question was what that meant and whether a new law was needed to establish it and make sure all newspapers took part.
Deciding the way forward was one of the most difficult decisions the prime minister would face, Nick Robinson added.Deciding the way forward was one of the most difficult decisions the prime minister would face, Nick Robinson added.
Mr Cameron, who previously said he intended to implement the inquiry findings provided they were not "bonkers", told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday he wanted to find a cross-party consensus on improving regulation and moving away from the "unacceptable" status quo.Mr Cameron, who previously said he intended to implement the inquiry findings provided they were not "bonkers", told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday he wanted to find a cross-party consensus on improving regulation and moving away from the "unacceptable" status quo.
He said he wanted an "independent regulatory system that can deliver and in which the public have confidence".He said he wanted an "independent regulatory system that can deliver and in which the public have confidence".
Mr Miliband responded: "I hope we can work on an all-party basis. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real change and I hope that this House can make it happen."Mr Miliband responded: "I hope we can work on an all-party basis. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real change and I hope that this House can make it happen."
Speaking as he left his home ahead of the report's publication, Mr Clegg said politicians would have to strike a balance in their response.Speaking as he left his home ahead of the report's publication, Mr Clegg said politicians would have to strike a balance in their response.
"Everybody wants two things... a strong, independent, raucous press, who can hold people in positions of power to account and, secondly, to protect ordinary people, the vulnerable, the innocents when the press overstep the mark.""Everybody wants two things... a strong, independent, raucous press, who can hold people in positions of power to account and, secondly, to protect ordinary people, the vulnerable, the innocents when the press overstep the mark."
Bristol landlord Chris Jefferies, who was wrongly arrested for the murder of Joanna Yeates in 2010 and won damages from a number of newspapers over their reports, said his experience had been "absolutely devastating".Bristol landlord Chris Jefferies, who was wrongly arrested for the murder of Joanna Yeates in 2010 and won damages from a number of newspapers over their reports, said his experience had been "absolutely devastating".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he wanted an independent regulator, with investigative powers established by statute with the "powers to discipline those parts of the press which contravene the codes".He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he wanted an independent regulator, with investigative powers established by statute with the "powers to discipline those parts of the press which contravene the codes".
But former Press Complaints Commission member and Daily Mail journalist Paul Horrocks said while tighter regulation was essential "what we don't want is that toughening up to be in some kind of law... because that then really threatens the freedom of the press".But former Press Complaints Commission member and Daily Mail journalist Paul Horrocks said while tighter regulation was essential "what we don't want is that toughening up to be in some kind of law... because that then really threatens the freedom of the press".
Meanwhile, a poll conducted for BBC Radio 5 live suggests that two-thirds of British adults have no trust - or little trust - that newspapers tell the truth.Meanwhile, a poll conducted for BBC Radio 5 live suggests that two-thirds of British adults have no trust - or little trust - that newspapers tell the truth.
Just over 1,000 people were questioned on the telephone by ComRes last weekend, with nearly a half also saying they wanted to see the press regulated by rules agreed and enforced by the courts.Just over 1,000 people were questioned on the telephone by ComRes last weekend, with nearly a half also saying they wanted to see the press regulated by rules agreed and enforced by the courts.
What would you like to see in the Leveson Inquiry report? Please send us your comments using the form below.What would you like to see in the Leveson Inquiry report? Please send us your comments using the form below.