"Like most other people in the country I have watched the events of the past week and a half with a sense of anger, shock and amazement. What some (and I stress some) journalists have been up disgusts me; as a former (radio) journalist myself for the BBC, I cannot imagine what was going through their minds at the NOTW when they decided to hack all those mobile phones.
"I have tried to approach this as I do every issue as your local MP, with a calm head and a sense of perspective.
"We need action to get to the bottom of the specific revelations and allegations we have seen. That is why the Prime Minister has agreed that it's right and proper to establish a full, public inquiry to get to the bottom of what happened. I was clear that a judge needs to be in charge (and made this clear to Ministers last week) so there's no question that it is totally independent and things are done properly. Those who are found guilty – through fair legal process – should be punished in the usual way, be they journalists or police officers.
"We also need action to learn the wider lessons for the future of the press. So we will establish a second inquiry conducted by a credible panel of figures drawn from a range of different backgrounds who command the full support, respect and above all confidence of the public. They should be truly independent, without any motive but to seek the truth and clean up the press. This second inquiry should look at the culture, the practices and the ethics of the British press. In particular, they should look at how our newspapers are regulated and make recommendations for the future.
"Of course I think it is vital that our press is free, that is an essential component of our democracy and our way of life but press freedom does not mean that the press should be above the law. This new system of regulation must strike the balance between an individual's right to privacy and what is in the public interest.
"I am sure that local people will appreciate things are moving very fast but as things stand the motion before the Commons will read: 'This House believes that it is in the public interest for Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation to withdraw their bid for BSkyB'.
"I am happy this is both within the law and free from (too much) party politics and will be voting to support it."