The Grimsby Telegraph silenced critics of a local council story which it ran – after the paper revealed its source was a council press release.

The story prompted outrage from a series of North East Lincolnshire councillors, including deputy council leader Andrew De Freitas who complained that reports had appeared in advance of discussions by himself and colleagues.

He told the paper: “Quite frankly, I am appalled by the coverage.

“It’s sensationalising the issue – it’s damned lies.”

The leader of the council, Coun Keith Brookes, also backed up his colleague and said it was “extremely sad” if a responsible publication was seeking to predetermine the council’s decisions.

But following their outbursts, a colleague confirmed that the Telegraph had printed information which had been provided by the council.

The council itself had put out a press release and sought the presence of a Telegraph reporter and photographer when the standards committee considered the remuneration panel’s proposals at a meeting last week.

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