OXFORDSHIRE’S MPs remained split yesterday over whether any new press watchdog should be backed by the power of the law.

Lord Justice Leveson last week called for a new regulator for the press to replace the Press Complaints Commission. Yet while he called for it to be independent, he did say it should be overseen by another organisation, potentially the broadcast watchdog Ofcom, with the system ultimately underwritten by new laws.

But almost immediately Prime Minister David Cameron, who is MP for Witney, voiced his concerns about establishing laws because he said he feared crossing “the Rubicon of writing elements of press regulation into law of the land”.

A new law is controversial because some claim it would inhibit freedom of speech because it could lead to state interference, while backers say the press needs firmer regulation in the wake of the phone hacking scandal.

Now Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood, Henley’s John Howell and Wantage’s Ed Vaizey, who is communications minister, have all backed his views. Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, however, has called for regulation to be underpinned by statute.

Mr Smith said: “I think Leveson’s report... are impressive – well reasoned, balanced and fair.

“His recommendations should be implemented in full so we get an independent regulatory body for the newspaper industry, with its independence and responsibilities underpinned in law, as Leveson says is necessary.”

Mr Howell added: “The Government has been clear all along that the status quo is not an option and I am determined to see Lord Justice Leveson’s principles implemented.”

Ms Blackwood said: “While I do not believe that statute automatically signals the end of a free press as some appear to, I do share the prime minister’s reluctance to introduce statutory regulation if it is unnecessary.

“However, I strongly support Leveson’s recommendation that any new regulator must be free from the influence of both the industry itself and from politicians.”

Mr Vaizey did not respond with his point of view, but said that as a minister he would support Mr Cameron and the Government’s official position.

Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry did not respond to the Oxford Mail’s query, but raised concerns in a Commons debate on the report on Monday about Lord Justice Leveson’s calls for Ofcom to regulate those media outlets that refused to participate in an independent regulatory system.