Prime Minister Cameron calls vote on press regulation

UK Prime Minister David Cameron set the stage for a bruising showdown on press regulation as he abruptly quit cross-party talks on the Leveson proposals.

The premier wrongfooted political opponents by declaring in a hastily convened press conference that there would be a vote in the House of Commons on March 18 on his plan for a royal charter to create a self-regulator for the press. Cameron said his proposal was the “fastest possible way to deliver the strong self-regulation body that Leveson proposed.” He added that there was “no point” producing a system that the press would oppose. Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband said they were “disappointed” by the decision, with both party leaders convinced that a compromise deal had been within reach.