Resolved complaints dealt with by the PCC during July, August & September 2001
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.
Listed here are summaries of complaints involving the regional press which fall into the first category.
Lincolnshire Echo
The East Midlands Region NFU complained on behalf of the Russon family that enquiries made by a newspaper following the death of one of the complainant’s employees were persistent and intrusive. (Clauses: 4, 5)
Resolution: The editor sent the complainant a personal letter of apology.
Leicester Mercury
Mr G Webster of Sileby complained that an article had inaccurately reported details surrounding the temporary closure of his betting shop. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a letter from the complainant.
Lancashire Evening Telegraph
A woman complained that a report concerning criminal charges brought against her husband had identified both her and her daughters, one of whom was below the age of 16. (Clauses 3, 6, 10)
Resolution: The editor wrote a personal letter of apology to the family, removed the offending report from the newspaper’s website and gave an assurance that any subsequent reports relating to the charges would not repeat the family relation.
Hounslow & Chiswick Informer
Councillor John C. Murphy complained that an article attributed remarks to him, that he had never actually made. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a letter from the complainant clarifying the situation.
Evening News (Edinburgh)
John Home Robertson, MSP for East Lothian, complained that an article criticising a visit to Barcelona by the Holyrood Progress Group to see the Catalan Parliament was inaccurate. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a letter from the complainant, published an apology and the editor wrote directly to the complainant.
Evening Echo
Mrs Barbara Francis of Leigh on Sea complained that a report of her son’s death misleadingly and inaccurately stated that he had a history of drug and alcohol abuse. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published details of the General Medical Council’s decision not to charge a doctor over claims that he irresponsibly prescribed drugs to patients including the complainant’s son.
Derby Evening Telegraph
Ms Carol Measham of Derby complained that an article was inaccurate in stating that a Brownie pack had been banned from a community centre and had subsequently victimised the woman involved in the alleged banning. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper wrote to the complainant apologising for the chain of events that led to publication of the erroneous piece and also published a correction, the wording of which had been agreed by the complainant.
Derby Evening Telegraph
Ms Lynn Mitchell, manager of Oakwood Community Centre in Derby, complained that an article had inaccurately stated that she had banned a Brownie group from using the premises. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper wrote a letter of apology to the complainant explaining how the accuracy had arisen, published a correction and apology, and undertook to review its procedures in dealing with direct complaints.
Carmarthen Journal
Ms Eirian James, of Cardigan, complained that an article, which reported that a man had been found guilty of burgling her home, had included precise details of her address, thereby making the property vulnerable to further thefts. (Clause 3)
Resolution: The editor wrote to the complainant apologising for the inclusion of the details and promising not to publish her address again.
Tivy-Side Advertiser
Ms Eirian James, of Cardigan, complained that an article, which reported that a man had been found guilty of burgling her home, had included precise details of her address, thereby making the property vulnerable to further thefts. (Clause 3)
Resolution: The editor wrote to the complainant apologising for the inclusion of the details and promising that every effort would be made in the future to respect the complainant’s wishes.
Bristol Evening Post
George Crowe, from Bristol, complained that a photograph, which claimed to show smog around the Clifton Bridge in Bristol, in fact depicted nothing more harmful than mist. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper, whilst maintaining that the image did show smog acknowledged that this could not be known for sure and published a clarification. It also agreed not to use the photograph again in that context.
Leigh Journal
Mr G Makin of Wigan complained on behalf of his son that articles detailing his court appearances had been inaccurate and that the most recent report had named himself instead of his son. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper offered to clarify that the complainant’s son had only been picked out by one person during an identity parade for a charge he was not subsequently convicted of, and apologised privately for inaccurately referring to the complainant in the court report.
Bolton Evening News
Mr G Makin of Wigan complained on behalf of his son that articles detailing his court appearances had been inaccurate and that the most recent report had named himself instead of his son. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper offered to clarify that the complainant’s son had only been picked out by one person during an identity parade for a charge he was not subsequently convicted of, and apologised privately for inaccurately referring to the complainant in the court report.
Wigan Observer
Mr G Makin of Wigan complained on behalf of his son that reports of his court appearances had been inaccurate. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper offered to clarify that the complainant’s son had only been picked out by one person during an identity parade for a charge he was not subsequently convicted of.
Wigan Evening Post
Mr G Makin of Wigan complained on behalf of his son that reports of his court appearances had been inaccurate. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper offered to clarify that the complainant’s son had only been picked out by one person during an identity parade for a charge he was not subsequently convicted of.
Birmingham Evening Mail
Mr Adrian Paul Miles of Wolverhampton complained that an article included misleading material regarding his conduct at a church in Smethwick. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published an adequate follow-up story.
Barnsley Star
Mrs N Barnett of Rotherham complained that an article reporting her husband’s death had been inaccurate and insensitive. (Clauses 1, 5)
Resolution: The newspaper published an apology and clarification making clear that an open verdict had been recorded with regard to Mr Barnett’s death.
Liverpool Echo
Ms Claire Curtis-Thomas MP complained on behalf of her constituent Sister Marie Clune that an article reporting her friendship with the Prime Minister’s wife had contained inaccuracies. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published an apology making reference to the inaccuracies in the article.
Liverpool Daily Post
Ms Claire Curtis-Thomas MP complained on behalf of her constituent Sister Marie Clune that an article reporting her friendship with the Prime Minister’s wife had contained inaccuracies. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published an apology making reference to the inaccuracies in the article.
The Reporter
Mr M R Thakur,of Saffron Walden complained that an article inaccurately stated that a racially aggrava
ted assault had occurred at his restaurant, the Saffron Tandoori. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a correction, which made clear that the incident had not happened at the Saffron Tandoori, but at another restaurant in the town.
The News (Portsmouth)
Mrs Gillian Gibbs of Portsmouth complained that the newspaper had printed a photograph of her husband and incorrectly captioned it as showing the last tragic moments of skydiver David Paton. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a correction and an apology and wrote directly to the complainant to apologise for its error.
Yorkshire Post
Mr John Townend complained that he had been inaccurately quoted as suggesting that the British were becoming a ‘mongrel race’ when he had actually been criticising the then Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a correction and apology.
Milton Citizen
Mr Julian Peddle, the Managing Director of MK Metro, complained that an article was inaccurate and misleading in suggestions it made regarding the bus company. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The news editor of the Citizen wrote directly to the complainant to apologise for certain matters.
North-West Evening Mail
Mr Kevin McNally of Cumbria complained that an article reporting an industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal inaccurately used the term ‘indecently’ in its description of allegations which had led to him losing his job. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a clarification which stated that the tribunal had made clear that no allegation of the commission of a sexual offence was involved.
Scarborough Evening News
Mr Dale Proctor of the Scarborough Autograss Club complained of inaccuracies in a piece reporting on the suspension of grass track racing during the foot and mouth outbreak. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a letter from the complainant and a clarification to the effect that Scarborough Autograss was not the only club to have applied to hold a race meeting.
Selby Times
Mrs Caroline Hodge of Selby complained that two articles about her brother published before and after his death in May had been inaccurate and insensitive. (Clause 1, 5)
Resolution: The newspaper published a clarification and apology to the complainant and her family.
Shropshire Star
Mr Brian Coates of Telford complained through solicitors that a report of a recent trial inaccurately described his previous conviction in Portugal in 1991. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper published a clarification to the effect that the 1991 conviction was for negligent manslaughter and not murder.
South Wales Argus
Councillor John Hopkins of Ebbw Vale complained that the newspaper had published a letter alleging to be from him, but which in fact he had nothing to do with. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper apologised to Mr Hopkins and printed a retraction and apology to him in the next issue of the paper.
Melton Times
Messrs Paul Dawson, Matthew Hill and James Freeman complained through solicitors about an article reporting that three youths had been sentenced following an attack on a youth. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper offered to publish a further piece clarifying the sentences the complainants had received.
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