The amendment, also backed by Nicolson’s parliamentary colleague Kirsty Blackman MP, would give ‘special interest news material’ – consisting of news or information about a particular pastime, hobby, trade, business, industry or profession – equal protections to the content published by national newspapers.

Nicolson has been MP for the Ochil and South Perthshire constituency since 2019, having previously represented East Dunbartonshire from 2015 to 2017. Before entering parliament, he worked as a reporter for a range of high-profile BBC news and current affairs shows, and has written for a wide range of magazine and newspaper titles.

The amendment will be considered by the Public Bill Committee, which is scrutinising the Bill line-by-line. This follows a recommendation by the Joint Committee of MPs and peers following scrutiny of the Draft Bill that stated: ‘We are concerned that some consumer and business magazines, and academic journals, may not be covered by the Clause [50] exemptions. We recommend that the Department consult with the relevant industry bodies to see how the exemption might be amended to cover this of, without creating loopholes in the legislation.’ The issue has also been raised in the House of Commons chamber.

PPA welcomes the tabling of this much needed amendment to a landmark piece of legislation, and will continue to emphasise the essential need for specialist media protections to the Government and parliamentarians of all parties.