CONFLICTING views on regulation of the press were aired as two top politicians took to the stage in Oxford.

Communications minister Ed Vaizey and shadow culture secretary Harriet Harman addressed the Oxford Media Convention yesterday.

In his keynote speech, Mr Vaizey, who is MP for Wantage, spoke about a paper due to be published by the Government this year, which he hopes will address the concerns raised during the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.

He said: “There simply isn’t a great clamour for wide-scale reform. People have told us that, for the most part, our regulatory framework is working well.

“And consumers are embracing new formats and technology with more enthusiasm than almost anywhere else in the world, so regulation doesn’t seem to be stifling innovation.”

Ms Harman, the deputy Labour leader, said her party supported Leveson’s call for a statutory regulation of the press.

She said: “Leveson said this was essential to ensure that, despite all the protestations of change and good intentions, the press did not once again slip back into their old way.”

The one-day convention at the Said Business School ended last night.