LORD Prescott has resigned from lawmaking body the Privy Council over fears it will block greater regulation of newspapers.
The group of Government ministers, judges and elder statesmen enacts royal charters, including one which will regulate newspapers after the phone hacking scandal.
There are two proposed press charters, one put forward by industry body PressBof and the other endorsed by Parliament and anti-intrusion group Hacked Off.
Lord Prescott is concerned the Privy Council will approve the industry's plans, which he believes to be more lenient, and has quit in protest.
In a letter of resignation seen by the Mail, he said: "I strongly believe the Privy Council committee set up to consider the charter, made up of Conservative
Cabinet ministers and the Deputy Prime Minister, is actively engaged in giving priority to the PressBof version over Parliament's.
"I believe that the Privy Council is being used in a highly political way to block real and much needed press regulation. I cannot stand by and be party to this.
"The Privy Council must put Parliament and the victims' views first before the press."
The group of Government ministers, judges and elder statesmen enacts royal charters, including one which will regulate newspapers after the phone hacking scandal.
There are two proposed press charters, one put forward by industry body PressBof and the other endorsed by Parliament and anti-intrusion group Hacked Off.
Lord Prescott is concerned the Privy Council will approve the industry's plans, which he believes to be more lenient, and has quit in protest.
In a letter of resignation seen by the Mail, he said: "I strongly believe the Privy Council committee set up to consider the charter, made up of Conservative
Cabinet ministers and the Deputy Prime Minister, is actively engaged in giving priority to the PressBof version over Parliament's.
"I believe that the Privy Council is being used in a highly political way to block real and much needed press regulation. I cannot stand by and be party to this.
"The Privy Council must put Parliament and the victims' views first before the press."
