MPs criticise press watchdog over Kate Middleton harassment

The culture, media and sport select committee of British MPs said today that Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, is the victim of "clear and persistent harassment" by the paparazzi and the Press Complaints Commission has failed to protect her.

The select committee's report on press self-regulation said that "recent lapses in standards" had damaged the image of the press but then concluded that self-regulation remained the best means of safeguarding press freedom.

The PCC has been "less than impressive" in its response, according to the culture, media and sport select committee.

The chairman of the PCC, Sir Christopher Meyer, then defended the watchdog, saying the select committee report had been "a tad unfair". He defended the PCC's lack of action before the media "feeding frenzy" on Kate Middleton's birthday on 9th January, saying that there was no complaint for it to act on.