A Conservative government would legislate to prevent the courts developing a right to privacy for British citizens, Michael Howard has said.

Speaking to the London Press Club on Wednesday, the Tory leader said such a move could interfere with the freedom of the press.

He also pledged to respond to any proof that the Communications Act or Human Rights Act interfered with newspaper reporting.

Howard said the "tough and flexible" system of press self-regulation should be allowed to continue.

"This is infinitely preferable to any form of state control of editorial content, which would be an unacceptable infringement of freedom of expression," he said.

"We Conservatives support your right to regulate yourselves - it is a crucial part of press freedom."

Howard added that he was "concerned" about the potential impact of the Human Rights Act and the Communications Act.

"Although there have been relatively few cases under the Human Rights Act in this area, there is a continuing danger that the courts could use it to fashion a privacy law," he said.

"I am opposed to the courts fashioning legislation that should be for parliament to decide – and I doubt that parliament could ever form a workable privacy law.

"The next Conservative government will review the workings of the Human Rights Act and if we find it to be defective, we will amend it."

The Tory leader also pledged to examine how media regulator Ofcom approached the issue of  newspaper mergers and acquisitions.

"In government, in line with my general approach to deregulation, we will not hesitate to act if it appears that the Communications Act is working in ways which amount to an unacceptable infringement on the freedom of the press," he added.