The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has hailed the regional press as a “pillar of British democracy”.

He made the comments as he spoke to regional newspaper editors and executives at the annual Newspaper Conference lunch, chaired by Yorkshire Post political editor Brendan Carlin.

The Conference represents London editors and political correspondents from the regional press.

And he also spoke about the hour-by-hour coverage of the Gulf conflict, asking his audience to imagine whether Asquith and Lloyd George could have maintained their war effort with live footage from the trenches in 1914.

The Foreign Secretary added that newspaper coverage of the conflict was interesting, with those who question their relevance getting their answer through the in-depth analysis that informs their readers.

He said: “The regional press is, I’d suggest, performing with distinction.

“It has combined solid, factual coverage of the conflict with a focus on local human stories of British servicemen, women and their families.

“Often an undervalued part of the media world, the regional press is a pillar of British democracy.

“The service which it provides to its communities is invaluable and I pay tribute to its excellent work.

“The regional – and the national press – have a crucial role to play in peacetime. But at times of conflict – as we all know from recent experience – their importance is magnified.”

There are currently 21 members of the Newspaper Conference, which acts as a link between members and the houses of parliaments and the royal households.

Mr Straw spoke at the main event of their year.

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