Editorial: Two royal charters, one big impasse

On one side is a charter that the majority of the press will not countenance; on the other, one that is likely to be unacceptable in Westminster.

Having rejected the plan for Royal Charter-backed press regulation proposed by politicians, a handful of newspaper groups have now put forward their own scheme – also backed by a Royal Charter.

It is a matter of regret that the plan was not put together by the industry as a whole. But the real problem is that the vexed question of regulation now shudders back to a stalemate. On one side is a charter that the majority of the press will not countenance; on the other, one that is likely to be unacceptable in Westminster.

With reluctance, this newspaper was prepared to work with the plan put forward by politicians. We are willing to accept the latest alternative proposal, too. Most important of all, a route through the impasse must be found, and quickly. Only then will the public’s – justifiable – concerns begin to be addressed.