The Press Recognition Panel has been given £900,000 in public funding despite having no work to do, it was revealed in January 2015.
The body was set up in October 2013 after agreement was reached by the three largest political parties. Its function is to approve press regulators and to ensure compliance with its royal charter. The body was established as a consequence of the Leveson inquiry.
Membership is voluntary. So far, no newspaper has signed up. It is currently looking for a director on a salary of between £90,000 and £120,000 a year. Its chairman is David Wolfe QC.