Sun set up Politicians Complaints Commission

Further research reveals it was the Sun under editor Kelvin MacKenzie (who else?) which set up the Politicians Complaints Commission.

The Sun's PCC came after Sir David Calcutt's review of self-regulation in 1993 had just concluded that the Press Complaints Commission was "ineffective and dominated by the industry".

It even considered a number of complaints. Sun assistant editor Peter Cox complained that MP Peter Bottomley had demanded that a fax of an exclusive story about his mother-in-law should be sent to him within five minutes.

The Sun's PCC ruled that the MP's approach was "peremptory" but it concluded that better communication on both sides could have avoided a clash. Prime Minister John Major was rapped three times for failing to answer letters.

Heritage Secretary Peter Brooke said the Government accepted the case for criminal offences to deal with intrusion and secret bugging as recommended by the Calcutt Review. Calcutt had suggested journalists found guilty should be fined up to £5,000.

• See also Campaign for Politicians Complaints Commission