Another attempt to impose more regulation on the Press was narrowly avoided on Wednesday by just nine votes.

We all knew it was going to be a close call, with some of our MPs siding with Labour’s two amendments.

The first by Ed Miliband would, in effect, have launched a further inquiry into the press. David Cameron’s government had promised one, but that was a long time ago and much has changed since.

However, it should not be forgotten that criminal proceedings saw journalists imprisoned and unacceptable collusion between the police and the press ended.

I thought Jacob Rees-Mogg hit the nail on the head when he explained that another investigation would simply result in those who’ve already been through the courts being “quizzed, questioned and interrogated” again.

And let’s not forget, many journalists were found not guilty of any offence.

None of this is to excuse the appalling treatment meted out to the Dowlers, the McCanns and others.

But phone-hacking is a criminal offence, a point that those who want to curb the press conveniently fail to mention.

Another damaging amendment by Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson was withdrawn due to lack of support by the SNP.

Today, almost all media organisations are now signed up to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which has introduced a new, low-cost arbitration scheme.

More focus is needed on unaccountable, on-line giants like Google and Facebook, where so much ‘fake news’ is spread.

That is work in progress, but further regulation of our press is veering down a dangerous path and one that I am not prepared to take.