I'd like to be clear where I stand on a free press as the final outcome of the Leveson Inquiry draws nearer. The other day, more than 40 colleagues signed a letter calling for curbs on the press. I thought the letter and sentiment expressed in it unwise. Having been a journalist for 17 years, I believe I have some authority on this sensitive subject, which is a serious one. I am opposed to any legislation, athough I do think a code of conduct should be given more teeth. My biggest gripe is when journalists are inaccurate and, having made a mistake, tuck a small correction in the back pages somewhere. That correction, in my view, should be on the same page and same size as the original article. The first thing I was taught as a fledgling trainee was accuracy and "if in doubt, leave it out". We received a right, royal dressing down if we made stupid mistakes, for example misspelling the names of people, organisations, towns and villages. In my two years or so as an MP, I have learnt what a heavy and unwieldy instrument legislation is. It is often the unintended consequences that do so much damage and have not been thought through. There are laws aplenty to guide and govern the press in this country and no more are needed.