Whipped into line or softening his approach to over-arching government intervention in… recreational pastimes? Speaking to industry journal, MCV, the media-loving MP has called for parent partnering and a ‘discussion’ of the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) rating system.

This apparent softening of his previous hard line follows a sparkling exchange between the MP and Prime Minister Blair regarding Rockstar’s Canis Canem Edit (the game formerly known as Bully).

The political term ‘discussion of’ can usually be translated into ‘punter speak’ in one of two ways: 1) keep talking about it until everybody forgets the initial topic 2) get rid of it entirely.

Aside from scrapping/discussing PEGI, Vaz now wants a talking-shop featuring the industry, ‘parents groups’ and big government in order to discover why under-18s are still purchasing 18+ PEGI-rated games. This is indeed a softening of his previous requirement for government control.

SPOnG has put a follow-up call into Vaz’s office this morning. Although it is constituency day for the Right Honourable today, we have been advised that we will be receiving a call-back.