Royal Charter unlikely to progress before September as battle with industry continues
The proposed Royal Charter on press regulation from the the main three UK political parties is unlikely to go before the privy council before September at the earliest as a result of ongoing opposition from industry.
Report: The Leveson Inquiry highlighted press failings
The newspaper industry, led by groups behind the Times, Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph, launched an alternative charter in May following the political proposal, which had hit immediate problems within industry with titles indicating they would refuse to sign up.
The wrangling follows the findings of the Leveson Report into press ethics and regulation and comes amid ongoing court cases against journalists for using illegal methods to obtain stories.
Culture secretary Maria Miller is expected to refer the industry charter to a sub-committee at the privy council where it will likely be rejected because of the cross-party Royal Charter backing.
Former BBC and ITV chairman Lord Michael Grade told and audience at The Drum Live event in London on Wednesday that he would be willing to lead moves to reach a solution on press regulation between the press, public and politicians if asked.