David Cameron said that press owners would have refused to sign up to the system of press regulation backed by statute called for by Labour and the Lib Dems.

And he has confirmed that a Commons vote will be held on Monday over a new system of press regulation backed by Royal Charter.

He said: “The route I have set out is the fastest possible way to deliver the strong self-regulation body that Leveson proposed that can put in place million-pound fines, prominent apologises and get justice for victims in this country.