The majority of complaints made to the Press Complaints Commission, which raise a possible breach of the Code of Practice, are resolved directly between the Commission's staff, editors and complainants.

These are either settled to the express satisfaction of the complainant following some remedial action by the editor or are not pursued by complainants following an explanation or other response from the publication.

Below are summaries of the latest complaints involving the regional press which fall into the first category.

Press & Journal
John McInally complained on behalf of his sister Mrs Harrison that the article had been inaccurate in its contention that Mr Harrison had been "found dead" at his home. He further contended that the newspaper had breached his family's right to privacy, especially in its publication of a second article on the same day as the obituary had appeared. Moreover, the complainant explained that – despite informing the newspaper that they did not wish to speak to a reporter – further attempts were made to contact the family. Finally, the complainant set out that the articles had intruded into his family's grief, and that publication had not been handled sensitively. (Clauses 1, 3, 5)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper took two forms of action. Firstly, it published a correction, making clear that Mr Harrison had not been "found dead" at his home, but that both Mrs Harrison and paramedics had sought to keep him alive. Secondly, the editor wrote a private letter to Mrs Harrison, apologising for the additional distress the newspaper had caused. However, the complainant remained concerned about the manner in which the newspaper had dealt with his complaint – and in particular its publication of the correction prior to his final authorisation – and expressed his dissatisfaction that his concern relating to the behaviour of reporters had not been addressed.

Scotland on Sunday
Ann Gloag complained, through Levy & McRae solicitors, that the newspaper had inaccurately implied that a security fence erected by Ms Gloag at her Perthshire property was in breach of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved directly by the newspaper, before any PCC investigation, by the publication of a clarification.

Cambridge Evening News
Stuart London of Ickleton Riverside Barns complained that the articles had inaccurately claimed that he had not yet been granted a Certificate of Lawfulness to allow for the retail sale of garden accessories and other items at the site. In fact, the Certificate had been granted by the time the article was published. The complainant also contended that he had kept all traders informed of the situation regarding the application. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a clarification making clear that the Certificate of Lawfulness for eight buildings had been granted on November 15, and that a retrospective planning applications for other enterprises being carried out at the site was to be submitted within a month. The clarification also emphasised that there was currently nothing to prevent traders from carrying out their business at the site.

Saffron Walden Weekly News
Stuart London of Ickleton Riverside Barns complained that the articles had inaccurately claimed that he had not yet been granted a Certificate of Lawfulness to allow for the retail sale of garden accessories and other items at the site. In fact, the Certificate had been granted by the time the article was published. The complainant also contended that he had kept all traders informed of the situation regarding the application. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a clarification making clear that the Certificate of Lawfulness for eight buildings had been granted on 15 November, and that a retrospective planning applications for other enterprises being carried out at the site was to be submitted within a month. The clarification also emphasised that there was currently nothing to prevent traders from carrying out their business at the site.

Berwick Advertiser
Peter Clark of Lowick complained that the article contained a number of inaccuracies with reference to his role in the debts amassed by the Outdoor Trust. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a clarification and apology making clear that Mr Clark had not been contacted prior to publication, that he disputed a number of aspects of the article, and that he and his wife had not been involved with the charity during the last sixteen months of its operation.

Sunday Mercury
Birmingham City Football Club complained, through Henri Brandman & Co. solicitors, that the newspaper had inaccurately claimed that a young man charged with murder had previously had a trial with the club and was, therefore, a 'young Blues star'. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper – which made clear that it had taken the detail from information given in court – published a clarification.

Western Mail
J Charles of Powys complained about an article which reported on the inquest into the death of her neighbour, Kathleen O’Shea. The complainant disputed the contents of Mrs O’Shea’s suicide note which suggested that she had taken her own life because she could no longer take the behaviour of her neighbours. The complainant said that every incident and accusation made against her family over the years had been fully investigated by the police. Following the inquest and a further investigation into the police’s handling of the previous accusations, the CPS advised that no action was to be taken against the complainant or her family. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper defended its position by pointing out that the article was a fair and accurate report of the coroner's remarks at the inquest into Mrs O'Shea's death. However, the complaint was resolved when the newspaper reported that the CPS had advised the police that, following further investigation, no action was to be taken against the complainant and her family.