A woman who claimed her privacy was breached by drone footage published on a regional daily’s website has had her complaint dismissed by the press watchdog.

Susan House complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that the Grimsby Telegraph breached Clause 3 (Privacy) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an online article which reported on a gas explosion that had occurred at the complainant’s house.

The article was accompanied by footage of the damaged house which was taken with an aerial drone.

The complainant said that the drone flew over her garden, and that the footage showed the contents of her home which were not visible to members of the public, including her bathroom, stairs and bedroom.

She added she was occupying the property at the time, and that no one expects a drone to fly over their property taking videos.

The Telegraph said that the footage was taken at a distance such that no personal belongings or individuals were depicted, nor any individual rooms identifiable.

It added that while the footage was not intrusive, it was in the public interest to show the amount of damage that can be caused by a gas explosion at a domestic dwelling.

IPSO recognised the difficulty and distress the gas explosion caused the complainant, but ruled given the extent of the damage to the property, and the fact that the explosion was a significant and legitimate news story, the complainant did not have a reasonable expectation that her property was a private place.

In addition, there was a public interest in illustrating the damage caused by the gas explosion, which highlighted the importance of gas safety.

The complaint was not upheld, and the full adjudication can be read here.