British MPs warn tough new laws will stifle press freedom

LONDON (AFP) - Politicians from Britain's leading parties on Wednesday warned that state regulation of the country's newspapers would present the biggest threat to press freedom for 300 years.

But a new poll showed that 60 per cent of the public favour implementing the recommendations of judge Brian Leveson's inquiry into media ethics and standards, due to be announced on Thursday, even if the findings extend to imposing new laws.

In a letter published in Wednesday's Daily Telegraph and Guardian newspapers, 86 politicians urged Prime Minister David Cameron not to introduce a statutory framework, even if Leveson's report calls for it.

Senior Conservatives including former defence secretary Liam Fox, former Europe minister David Davis and former Scottish secretary Michael Forsyth all signed the letter.