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.

Liverpool Echo
A woman from Liverpool complained that an article about her experience of drug addiction identified her after she had been given assurances that she would remain anonymous. She was also concerned that the positioning of a photograph of her and her son next to an article about babies of addicts suffering heroin withdrawal symptoms would mislead readers into thinking her child was one of those born addicted. (Clauses 1, 3)
Resolution: The matter was resolved when the newspaper apologised sincerely for inadvertently causing distress to the complainant. It acknowledged that the photograph it had published of her and her son had not been darkened sufficiently to maintain their anonymity; the image and other information about the complainant was removed from the newspaper's website. The newspaper did not consider the article was misleading and noted that there had been some degree of misunderstanding about what material it intended to publish.

The Westmorland Gazette
Steve Atkinson, of Cumbria, complained that the newspaper had published a letter from the local councillor for South Lakeland District Council which claimed that he 'himself acknowledges in a letter [that the council's methods of consulting the community] have concluded with residents appreciating the problems faced by the council'. The complainant said he had never acknowledged anything the council had said or done. (Clauses 1, 2)
Resolution: The newspaper pointed out that the substance of the complainant's concerns appeared to be directed at the council, rather than the newspaper. The complainant made clear that that he attached no blame to the newspaper, which had always acted in good faith. The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a follow-up article from the complainant in which he disputed the point in the councillor’s letter, and tagged its records to reflect the position.

Cambs Times
Jackie Harding complained that an article about her daughter having a day off school intruded into the latter's privacy by making exact reference to an illness from which she was suffering. (Clause 3)
Resolution: The newspaper said the information about the daughter's illness had come from the complainant who had given no indication that it was not for publication. The complainant was pleased to have the editor's response and did not wish to take the matter further.

Derby Evening Telegraph
John Blaylock, of Derby, complained about an article in which his niece discussed the effect of her mother's – the complainant's sister – 'suicide'. The complainant said that, in fact, there was clear evidence that his sister did not intend to take her own life and indicated that the coroner had recorded a verdict of 'misadventure' at the inquest into her death. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complainant indicated that he wished for the newspaper to be made aware of the details of his complaint but he did not wish for anything further to be published about the death of his sister. The editor of the newspaper expressed his sadness that the report had caused so much distress to the complainant and his family. He indicated that the newspaper accepted the coroner's verdict was 'misadventure' and had ensured that a note was placed on the newspaper's electronic archive clarifying the position. The complainant agreed to the settlement of his complaint on this basis.

Buxton Advertiser
Karen Bramwell, of High Peak, complained on behalf of her Aunt that an inquest report into her Grandfather’s death disclosed her Aunt’s medical condition. (Clauses 1, 5)
Resolution: The newspaper pointed out that the complainant's Aunt's medical condition was entirely relevant to the inquest and was disclosed at the inquest proceedings. After receiving a transcript of the inquest proceedings, the complainant accepted that the detail relating to her Aunt's health had indeed been mentioned and accepted the newspaper was entitled to make reference to it. She expressed her personal view though that the detail should not have been revealed in the first place.