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Prime Minister David Cameron: "We have a workable system ready to go"
Cross-party talks on the Leveson press reforms have broken down, the prime minister has confirmed.
David Cameron told Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband the gap between them was "too great" to bridge, the BBC understands.
He said he would publish plans for a Royal Charter to establish a tougher press regulator on Monday and urged them to support the proposals.
But Labour and the Lib Dems say the plans will give newspapers too much discretion over press regulation.
Campaign group Hacked Off said the prime minister's announcement "shows that he's still protecting his friends in the press and betraying press abuse victims".
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End Quote David CameronThe route I have set out is the fastest possible way to deliver the strong self-regulation body that Leveson proposed"
MPs are expected to debate the Conservative proposals on Monday afternoon.
Mr Cameron said a Royal Charter would help to create the world's "toughest" regulatory system.
The proposals would see an independent body oversee the system of press self-regulation.
Lord Justice Leveson's report - which was published in November - called for a new independent watchdog for the press, which he said should be underpinned by legislation.
The 2,000-page report into press ethics found that press behaviour was "outrageous" and "wreaked havoc with the lives of innocent people".
'Very disappointed'Speaking at a press conference, Mr Cameron explained that cross party talks on press reform had "concluded without agreement".
He said the treatment by the press of people such as the families of missing girl Madeleine McCann and murdered teenager Milly Dowler was "absolutely despicable", underlining he wanted a new system of regulation to prevent such things happening again.
However, he stressed that a "full legislative response" would be wrong and presented "real dangers".
"I don't think it would work, I don't think it is right for our country - I think it would be a mistake," he said.
"It crosses the rubicon in terms of endangering press freedoms.
Analysis
David Cameron took everyone by surprise with his hastily arranged press conference at Number 10.
His announcement will put him at odds with his deputy Mr Clegg, who said only a couple of hours before the press conference that all three party leaders wanted to implement Leveson.
It was looking increasingly likely that Labour and the Lib Dems were going to force a vote on this issue.
By announcing there will be a vote on Monday, Mr Cameron has tried to steal the initiative.
But critics have accused him of grandstanding. They also point to the fact he makes big promises - but whether it's on Leveson or minimum pricing on alcohol they say he does not deliver.
"That is why we propose the Royal Charter approach. It is a proven way of establishing a public body without the need for legislation... and it would deliver what Lord Justice Leveson wanted without the need for detailed legislation."
The prime minister insisted a charter would ensure "the independent self-regulation that Lord Justice Leveson while simultaneously protecting the precious independence and freedom of our press".
Mr Cameron said he was putting forward the most "workable" and most "deliverable" plan he could.
"The route I have set out is the fastest possible way to deliver the strong self-regulation body that Leveson proposed that can put in place million-pound fines, prominent apologises and get justice for victims in this country," he said.
"The deal is there to be done, it is the fastest way to get proper justice for victims."
He also said other parties had the option to table their own proposals: "They can back my amendments or they can grandstand and end up with a system that I don't believe will work."
"If you establish a system that people don't take part in you haven't solved the problem."
Mr Cameron quoted former prime minister Winston Churchill, saying the free press was the "sleeping guardian" and that he would always defend it.
'Nothing agreed'The prime minister's comments come after the three leaders held face-to-face talks on Wednesday to discuss whether plans for a new press watchdog should be underpinned by legislation.
Mr Cameron told Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg and Labour leader Mr Miliband by phone on Thursday that he was not prepared to have a press law of any kind, the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said.
He said he feared it would be open to constant amendment in parliament, producing a system of regulation way beyond that which Lord Justice Leveson recommended, added our political editor.
Labour have called on the prime minister to think again over the decision to suspend talks between the parties.
Sources for the party say they are "very disappointed" by Mr Cameron's "unjustified" decision.
Aides to the Deputy Prime Minister say Mr Clegg was surprised and disappointed by the prime minister's decision as he believed they were making progress and a deal was possible.
A senior Lib Dem source said: "We thought we were making real progress and inching towards a deal, but the prime minister has unilaterally decided to pull the plug on cross-party talks.
"We are still prepared to work with politicians of all parties, including the Conservatives, who want to work with others to implement Leveson."
Asked whether Lib Dems would vote with Labour against the Conservatives' proposal for a Royal Charter, the source added: "We are going to have to talk about it and see what we do. Nothing has been agreed in government."
BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said there would now be "a showdown over Leveson - a Commons confrontation" between the Conservatives against the Lib Dems and Labour.
Mr Cameron knew they were considering having a vote and possibly wanted to be go on the offensive and force one, our correspondent said.
He also said that if the prime minister were to lose a vote he could at least turn to the press and say that he fought for their cause.
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