Bringing curbs against the press, which peers have tried to tag on to the Data Protection Bill, would have dire consequences for the Scottish newspaper industry, MPs have been told.

The warning came from Scottish publishers at a Scottish Newspaper Society (SNS) parliamentary reception for MPs last week, the News Media Association, which represents the UK’s national, regional and local press, reported in its weekly bulletin.

Among the speakers at the event was Bill Laidlaw, proprietor of independent publisher DNG Media, who warned of the challenges facing local news media and the dire effects for local journalism if the curbs were brought into force.