East Renfrewshire’s MP has slammed controversial plans for changes to press regulation, branding them “a threat to our free press.”

Paul Masterton spoke out ahead of a debate in the UK Parliament tomorrow, with MPs set to vote on amendments to the Data Protection Bill.

One of the amendments, proposed by Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson, would introduce what have been described as “draconian” costs sanctions into the data protection regime, requiring publishers to pay all the claimants’ costs of legal actions brought against them, as well as their own – even if every word printed is true.

Mr Masterton said: “Labour’s proposed change to the Data Protection Bill is a threat to our free press – it’s as simple as that.

"By requiring newspapers to pay the costs of every person who makes a claim against them, even if the story is completely true and the case is thrown out, it poses a risk to the future of local newspapers.

"Just one spurious claim by an individual with an agenda could put smaller titles like the Barrhead News out of business.

"Not only that, press regulation is devolved to the Scottish Parliament but Labour want to bludgeon on regardless and sweep up local and national Scottish papers in a law which will protect the powerful and the corrupt from scrutiny and exposure."

The Conservative MP added: "The Barrhead News does a great job in a difficult climate. It ensures local politicians like me are held to account, investigates and breaks stories of real importance and champions the community.

"I will be opposing Labour’s plans to change the Data Protection Bill and proudly standing up for a free press and the Barrhead News in Parliament this week.”