Impress has once again been named as an ‘approved’ regulator under the Royal Charter set up in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry.

The regulator has been recognised as ‘free of political and industry influence’ following the latest review by the Press Recognition Panel.

Most big publishers refused to join Impress on the grounds that the Charter’s existence amounts to state regulation of the press, deciding to set up the rival Independent Press Standards Organisation instead.

However more than 200 smaller publishers have signed up to the watchdog, including Novara Media, Prospect, Byline Times, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and The Bristol Cable.

The PRP confirmed that Impress continues to meet the criteria for independence established by Parliament in the Charter following Lord Justice Leveson’s recommendations.

Impress remains the only press regulator to seeks such recognition, first doing so in 2016.

Chief executive Lexie Kirkconnell-Kawana said: “We are delighted to have once again had the opportunity to prove our independence to the Press Recognition Panel,”

“Being free from political influence and industry sway is absolutely crucial for a press regulator to be truly independent in its operations and, ultimately, rebuild trust in journalism.

“We continue in our pursuit of a journalism ecosystem that upholds freedom of the press and protects the public and we encourage any publishers who share those goals, to join us.”

In order to meet the standards of the Royal Charter, a press regulator must meet 29 different criteria to ensure its independence.