David Cameron accused of 'ripping heart and soul' out of Leveson probe

Meanwhile, media reform campaigners and some of those who had their phones hacked or computers compromised said they were "profoundly depressed" by Cameron's refusal to follow the recommendation of Leveson.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Hacked Off campaign, the filmmaker Ed Blum – himself a victim of hacking – accused Cameron of abandoning those he had pledged to help.

"I think with Cameron's statement, he's let down the victims of press abuse," he said.

"He's also ripped out the heart and soul of the Leveson report and at the same time...," he was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Mark Lewis, the solicitor who represents a number of phone-hacking victims, including the family of Dowler, said some of his clients were struggling to understand the prime minister's behaviour.

"The politicians were in on this and somebody independent was coming along and made recommendations and cautious optimism lasted for about 45 minutes and then the prime minister spoke and said well he's not actually going to implement a report that he instigated," Lewis said.

Meanwhile, following cross-party talks last night - which will resume next week - the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will begin the process of drawing up a draft bill implementing the Leveson recommendations.

It is thought the draft legislation may be ready in a fortnight, the BBC reported.

Miller said: "the gauntlet has been thrown down" to newspapers to outline how they would set up tough self-regulation instead.

But

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