Opposition politicians have criticised plans to establish a new press regulator backed by Royal Charter, claiming that it could ‘compromise the Queen.’
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Labour’s media spokesperson, expressed fear that the plans would place too much power in the hands of ministers and would give the Queen an inappropriate role, claiming such a move would ‘bypass Parliament on an issue where fundamental rights are at stake.
Whitchurch added: “Also, it seems inappropriate to deploy the prestige of the monarch in a controversial role where intervention might be necessary.
“In addition, the monarch would be obliged to act under the advice of ministers, placing too great a concentration of power in the hands of the executive rather than Parliament.”
The government has said it may yet implement a press law if its proposals for a new system of self-regulation prove unworkable.