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 Slough and Langley Observer
Nickola Gray complained that the newspaper had inaccurately used the word ‘tirade’ when describing an incident of abuse towards her neighbour. (Clause 1).

Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published the following clarification in a suitably prominent position:

“In an article on 13 March headlined ‘Race taunt tenant could lose home’, it was reported that Ms Nickola Gray of Adam Close, Cippenham, was issued with an injunction and postponed possession order ‘after unleashing a tirade of racist and anti-social abuse’.

“We would like to point out that, while the orders warned Ms Gray against the use of racist or verbally abusive language towards her neighbours in the future, there had been no ‘tirade’ of racist abuse as we reported.”

The Scotsman
Bernard Gaughan, of East Lothian, complained that the newspaper had inaccurately stated that his company brought in agricultural workers from overseas, and that it had given the false impression that some of his employees might not be working legitimately. (Clause 1).

Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper agreed to publish the following correction:

“In a television review published on Tuesday 21 April of a programme entitled ‘The Tattie Howkers’ which dealt with issues surrounding migrant agricultural workers we stated ‘there are still agricultural workers coming to Scotland, from countries such as Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. They’re brought over by recruitment bosses such as Bernard Gaughan – grandson of Irish field workers, son of a ganger. Perhaps they’re not sleeping in cowsheds, but they too slip under the radar for most of us.’

“We would like to make it clear that Mr Gaughan has never brought workers into the UK, that his company, Total Labour Solutions, operates under the strict licensing conditions of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and that Mr Gaughan has campaigned to improve the rights of workers in this sector. We apologise for our error.”

Cambridge News
Isaac Reed complained that the newspaper had inaccurately reported the circumstances of his arrest in Newmarket and the nature of his offence. (Clause 1).

Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a clarification, with due prominence in the newspaper and online, in the following terms:

“Following our article on 7 May (‘Cricketing drinker is stumped by officers’), we wish to clarify that defendant Isaac Reed, of Adastral Close, Newmarket, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, within the hearing or sight of persons likely to be caused alarm or distress.

“Mr Reed, 27, was stopped by officers in Exning Road, Newmarket, where he was practising cricket shots with a piece of wood he had found. Earlier, he had been ordered to leave the area outside De Niro’s nightclub. Mr Reed was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £60 costs.”

The Herald and Evening Times, Glasgow
Charles Gordon MSP complained that the newspapers had inaccurately reported his expenses claims in regard to his staffing and website maintenance costs. (Clause 1).

Resolution: The complaint was resolved when both newspapers published a comprehensive letter from the complainant which set out – amongst other things – a breakdown of how his website expenses were recorded, the correct expenses figures, and his explanation of MSPs’ employment of family members.

Tamworth Times
Cllr Bruce Boughton of Tamworth complained that the newspaper had given a misleading account of a sensitive family matter, in breach of Clause 1 (Accuracy). He said that the article had given the impression that he had behaved with a lack of care for his father and that he had behaved improperly in relation to his father’s passport, when in fact he had been responding to a very difficult situation and had acted with care and compassion throughout. (Clause 1).

Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper agreed to publish a follow-up article in which it apologised to Cllr Boughton and provided him the opportunity to give a detailed account of the situation and of his response to it.