A campaigning Aberdeen newspaper has celebrated two victories in 24 hours.

The Aberdeen Press and Journal’s first success came when it emerged that Justice Minister Jim Wallace would be abandoning his plans to close Peterhead Prison.

The jail is an internationally-acclaimed centre for the rehabilitation of sex offenders.

The Press and Journal’s long-running campaign to save the prison began two years ago and was supported by almost universal objections to the closure proposals when they were put out for consultation in March this year.

Pressure to save the jail was mounted by the paper’s features on the prison, including interviews with families of prison officers and local MPs.

And the day after the news about the prison broke, it was revealed that the Treasury had agreed to have talks with the UK Offshore Operators’ Association on the Government’s planned extra 10 per cent tax on North Sea oil and gas profits.

After Chancellor Gordon Brown imposed the duty on the industry in his Budget speech earlier this year, the Press and Journal began its A Tax Too Far campaign with a number of front page stories, aimed at persuading the Treasury to change its mind.

Press and Journal editor Derek Tucker said: “It’s the second time in two days politicians have backed down in the face of campaigning by our newspaper.

“We are delighted at their willingness to stand up and take note. Campaigns like these are part and parcel of a truly local newspaper.”

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