Cameron rules out government role

Meanwhile, Lord Justice Leveson said there “was no credible of bias” by former Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt - now serving in Health - in his handling of Rupert Murdoch's bid for control of all BSkyB.

However, his contact with one of Murdoch's lobbyists, Fred Michel “gave rise to the perception of bias”, while the fact that the contacts happened without records being kept “were an additional cause of concern”.

The judge said he doubted 'the wisdom' of appointing his special adviser, Adam Smith to such an influential role given his experience and the sensitivity of the issue.

Senior police officers should be required to list every one of their contacts with journalists, while lower-rank officers should speak only on issues where they have been cleared to do so.

The new body would continue to issue notices to newspapers - as already happens with the PCC - where subjects of press attention complain about press intrusion.

Fines paid to it should be put into a ring-fenced fund to pay for future investigations, while the new body would have power to intervene in “cases of allegedly discriminatory reporting”.

Mr Cameron said Lord Justice Leveson’s report did not “find a basis for challenging the integrity of the police”, but had found “a number of areas for concern”.

Mr Cameron said he supported Leveson’s recommendations for ending the “cosy relationship” between the press and the police.

Mr Cameron said the Government accepted a recommendation for the publication of further details of the “overall level of interaction” between ministers and the media.

The premier said former culture secretary Jeremy Hunt had endured “a stream of allegations with great dignity” over his handling of the BSkyB bid, and the report confirmed that “we were right to stand by him”.

Mr Cameron said he agreed with Leveson that current press industry proposals for a new regulation system “do not yet go far enough”.

Mr Cameron said he accepted Leveson’s principles for regulation, and that the onus was now on the press “to implement them, and implement them radically”.

The prime minister said he had “serious concerns and misgivings” over Leveson’s proposals for a statutory underpinning to a new regulation system.

But he added: “We should be wary of any legislation that has the potential to infringe free speech and the free press.”