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.

Hexham Courant
John Anderson, of Kirkwhelpington, complained that two articles reporting that he had been found guilty of breaking a councillors’ code of conduct after failing to declare an interest in a discussion at a parish council meeting had not made the full position – that he was only found to have breached the code on a technicality, due to his failure to declare a ‘personal’, and not a ‘vested’ interest – clear. He was particularly concerned that readers would be misled by the publication of the first article, which had presented the findings of the investigating officer and did not represent the final decision of the Standards Committee. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published the following clarification: In our article of August 18 about Kirkwhelpington parish councillor John Anderson we reported that Mr Anderson had been found guilty of breaking a councillors’ code of conduct after failing to declare an interest in a discussion about wind turbines at a parish council meeting. As that article made clear, this contention was based on a report by the investigating officer, which was subsequently presented to the Standards Board for its view. However, the investigating officer’s report did not represent the final decision of the Standards Committee. Its Notice of Decision stated that there had been only a technical breach of the code of conduct, due to the fact that Councillor Anderson had declared a “vested” – as opposed to a “personal” – interest in wind turbines. As our article of August 25 made clear, it was felt by the Standards Board that Mr Anderson had acted with integrity. However, contrary to what was reported, there was no breach of the code caused by the fact the councillor had remained in the meeting. We are happy to clarify the position and regret any misunderstanding.

Halifax Courier
Mark Littlewood, head of media for the Liberal Democrats, complained that an article had inaccurately claimed that Liberal Democrat Councillors had wooed the BNP as part of a plan to take control of Calderdale Council. In fact, it had been Calderdale Liberal Democrat Group policy not to deal with the BNP on any subject ever since they were first elected in Calderdale. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published the following clarification: Lib Dems and the Evening Courier – An article headlined “Lib Dems woo BNP in bid to oust Tories”, which appeared on Page 3 of the Courier on October 12, asserted that the Liberal Democrat group leader on Calderdale Council, Patrick Phillips, in a plan to take control of the authority, was prepared to form an alliance with the BNP. We are happy to clarify that while the Liberal Democrats were prepared to take control of Calderdale Council, they would not give the far-Right party any say in policy. We fully accept that the Liberal Democrats have not wooed the BNP.

Irvine Times
Barry Donnan, of Irvine, complained that the newspaper had published details of a police operation designed to target gangs and youths and stated that no calls had been received from members of the public during the operation. The complainant said that this was contrary to the information he had received under the Freedom of Information Act, and also pointed out that his friend had had cause to telephone the police after she was mugged. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complainant was resolved when the newspaper indicated that the information for the story had been provided in a police press release and provided an on-the-record statement from the police confirming the position. The complainant accepted the newspaper’s explanation and took the matter up directly with his local police force.

The Barnet Press
Andrew Dismore MP complained that the newspaper had published a reader’s letter that contained inaccurate claims about the work he had done on behalf of a constituent. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published the following correction: We have been asked to point out that a letter by Mr M Gandhi, published on December 7 and headlined “MP Dismore failed me”, may have presented a misleading assessment of the incident being referred to. Andrew Dismore MP has asked us to point out that rather than writing just one letter in relation to the matter raised by his constituent, as published, he wrote three letters, which resolved the situation as far as was practicable, and offered his services to his constituent if further action was required. This offer was not taken up and the matter was considered closed.

Evening Standard
The Right Honourable David Blunkett MP complained that the newspaper had reported claims about him, which he had denied, without including reference to his denial. He was also concerned that the newspaper had produced incessant coverage about him, which amounted – in his view – to harassment. (Clauses 1, 4)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published the following correction: In a Londoner’s Diary item on 5 October it was said that Heidi Kingstone had revealed that David Blunkett gave unflattering views about his former Cabinet colleagues. We have been asked to say Mr Blunkett denies ever giving these views.