An independent media ethics charity has branded the new Code of Practice for editors as little more than “the same warmed-over gruel of pious promises”.

The PressWise Trust, which made a 15-page submission to the Press Complaints Commission last month, with comments and suggestions on the way forward, claims its report has been ignored.

And it called on the Commission to be rigorous when handling future complaints.

MediaWise director Mike Jempson, of the PressWise Trust, said: “The suggestions we have made, based on 10 years careful observation of the way self-regulation is being implemented and acknowledged by chairman Sir Christopher Meyer as deserving consideration, have either not been seen or have been ignored. We have certainly received no response from the Commission.

“The revised edition of the Code of Practice contains nothing which is either startling or radical. It is the same warmed-over gruel of pious promises, which in the past have done little to abate misbehaviour on the part of newspapers seeking profit.”

He said the “fine words” would do nothing to persuade what he called a doubting public that the existing self-regulation would mean anything more than a light slap on the wrist for breaching the code, and that complainants would still have to resort to the courts to seek retribution under Human Rights or libel laws.

He added that they were expensive solutions which, in practice, were are only open to the rich and famous.

He said: “We hope the PCC will become more rigorous in its review of procedures for dealing with complaints.

“We have supplied a lengthy set of suggestions, and will shortly be publishing a book, Satisfaction Guaranteed? which will explain what complainants want of self-regulation. On current evidence we seem to be whistling in the dark.”