Below are summaries of the latest complaints involving the regional press which have been resolved between the parties involved, with help from the Press Complaints Commission.

The Argus
Sarah James, press officer at the Brighton Steiner School, complained that an article had inaccurately claimed that the school had banned Santa. Although it had quickly been amended, the complainant was particularly concerned that the report had led to the publication of inaccurate articles elsewhere. (Clause 1).
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published the following letter from the complainant:
“You reported we banned Santa from visiting our Christmas grotto in case his red outfit reminded pupils of Coca Cola. In fact, we had no such ban and it was never discussed at school which has no policy on this matter. The fact we have never had Santa at our Christmas Bazaar for no other reason than we try to offer something a bit different does not amount to a ban.”

South Wales Evening Post
Linda Ware, secretary of the Cilfrew Resident’s Association, complained about an article which reported on a claim made by a Blaenhonddan councillor that she had been misquoted as having made disparaging remarks about people on benefits at a council meeting. The complainant said that she had herself attended the meeting and had heard the councillor make the disputed comments.
Fourteen statements – two from fellow councillors and 12 from members of the Cilfrew Resident’s Association and other people in the public gallery – had been submitted to the Ombudsman to this effect. The crux of the complainant’s concerns rested on the omission of any reference to comments made by two councillors – indicating that they had heard their fellow councillor make the disputed comment – during the meeting. (Clause 1).
Resolution: The complainant agreed to the newspaper’s suggestion that it publish a follow-up article which reported on the 14 statements that had been submitted to the Ombudsman and included a statement from the Cilfrew Resident’s Association. However, events superseded this agreement with the newspaper when it became apparent that the Ombudsman was to investigate the councillor’s alleged remarks. The newspaper therefore published an article reporting the initiation of that investigation. The complainant agreed to resolve her complaint on that basis but indicated that the matter could have been avoided if the original article had contained a reference to the comments made by the two councillors during the meeting.

Falkirk Herald
A woman complained through solicitors Gair & Gibson that an article about her former partner – and the father of her children – contained inaccuracies and intruded into her family’s privacy. She said the article – which reported on her former partner’s conviction for downloading child pornography – may have identified her children and inaccurately suggested that she had split up with him because of the allegations. In fact, she said she had not lived with her former partner for seven years. (Clause 1).
Resolution: The newspaper defended itself against the claims and indicated that it had obtained information about the complainant’s relationship breakdown from a source. The newspaper wrote to the complainant and made clear that it had endeavoured to maintain the anonymity of her children and apologised if the date given for the end of her relationship was inaccurate. The complaint was resolved on this basis.

Llanelli Star
James Deacon, of Carmarthenshire, complained with the authorisation of Lord Waterford that an article had inaccurately described local councillor Dena Lloyd as ‘Lady Waterford’. Mr Deacon said that Ms Lloyd’s use of the title was illegitimate. (Clause 1).
Resolution: The matter was resolved when the newspaper published the following statement:
“The Star has been asked to clarify a story which appeared in our Gwendraeth edition of September 20 – ‘Councillor reveals she’s a lady after four years’. The story said Kidwelly and Mynyddygarreg Councillor Dena Lloyd planned to stand in the council elections next year under the name of Lady Waterford. The councillor claimed: ‘I was given the title four years ago when it was passed down to me through my family.’
The following letter has been received from Lord Waterford: ‘I write to refute that Dena Lloyd has any right whatsoever to call herself Lady Waterford. There is only one Lady Waterford and that is my wife of 50 years. We celebrated our 50th anniversary on July 23, 2007.’
The Star has been presented with a charter document, bank details, medical records, council records and an electoral roll which shows Dena Lloyd’s use of the name ‘Lady Dena Waterford’ is widely accepted.

Sheffield Star
Kerry Gilbraith, of Sheffield, complained that an inquest report into the death of her husband contained inaccuracies and intruded into her grief. (Clause 1, 5).
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper sent the complainant a private letter apologising for the distress caused by the report in addition to removing the article from its website.

Sheffield Weekly Gazette
Kerry Gilbraith, of Sheffield, complained that an inquest report into the death of her husband contained inaccuracies and intruded into her grief. (Clause 1, 5).
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper sent the complainant a private letter apologising for the distress caused by the report in addition to removing the article from its website.

Rugby Advertiser
Kerry Gilbraith, of Sheffield, complained that an inquest report into the death of her husband contained inaccuracies and intruded into her grief. (Clause 1, 5).
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper removed the article from its website.