STATUTORY regulation of the press could damage democracy, John Swinney has warned ahead of the report from the Leveson inquiry into media standards.
With Lord Justice Leveson expected to recommend far tougher controls on the press when he reports next month, the Finance Secretary spoke out against government interference.
He told a fringe meeting at the SNP conference: "My personal opinion is that I don't favour statutory regulation of the press. I don't think it's a good thing. I don't think it sits comfortably with a civilised, modern, Western democracy."
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