David Cameron is right to resist bringing in a law to control the press say two Medway MPs.

The prime minister said introducing statutory regulations would be "crossing the rubicon" into press freedoms. His stance has provoked criticism from the Hacked Off campaign which wants Lord Leveson's recommendations implemented "in full".

Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless said: "I support David Cameron on this and think he is right to resist a statutory regulatory system. I don’t think putting in a glorified quango will help which at its best will be unaccountable and at its worst a tool for politicians.

"Lord Leveson is saying it’s not a statutory body, but it clearly is."

Chatham MP Tracey Crouch, a member of the culture, media and sport select committee, said she did not want to see any move towards state control of newspapers.

As MPs prepared to debate the report on Monday, she said: "I believe in the freedom of the Press. It has worked for the last 300 years and it is important for democracy.

"I don’t believe there is a need for an independent statutory body.

"At the end of the day it’s about principles. Misuse of phone hacking is illegal and should be dealt with by the law, which should be tightened up.

"But it must be remembered that in some cases, where it is in the public interest, it should be allowed.

"I do want to see tougher regulation and enforcement, but one which brings a major change in attitude and practice." Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti was unavailable for comment.

He recently put his name to a letter widely interpreted as supporting state intervention in the control of the press.

Prof Tim Luckhurst, of the Medway-based Centre for Journalism, who is a leading campaigner against state intervention described Leveson as "profoundly and utterly misguided".

He added: "We must defend free speech." I see no reason to allow a judge to alter the British constitution. A free press is essential to a free people."