Internet companies have hit back at a fresh government drive to crack down on child pornography saying that if the government wants to censor the internet they should introduce fresh laws to do so.

It comes as Prime Minister David Cameron said he was ‘sickened’ by the proliferation of ‘disgusting images’ on the web and called on leading tech firms such as Google to do more to restrict access to such content.

Cameron said: “There are encouraging signs that the industry is willing to step up — increasing funding and technical support for organisations combating child sexual abuse imagery online. But I want more action. The time for excuses and blame is over — we must all work together. The safety of our children is at stake, and nothing matters more than that.”

Speaking to the Telegraph however one industry source said: “If the Government wants to censor the internet, they should introduce laws which we can implement.

“But ministers are terrified of being seen as trying to censor the internet as it is associated with draconian regimes, so they are now expecting private firms to make judgments about what should and should not be seen by the public.”

Internet firms stress that they already hold monthly meetings with ministers to safeguard the public and block sites when requested to do so.