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A legal challenge has been initiated by a local newspaper against the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Mick Barton of Reform UK, following his decision to cease communication with its reporters.
Councillor Barton has reportedly not engaged with journalists from the Nottingham Post and its online platform, Nottinghamshire Live, since August.
CMS LLP, acting on behalf of Reach PLC, the publishing group behind the Nottingham Post, has served the council with a formal legal letter demanding the retraction of this ban.
This action follows Mr. Barton’s decision to lift the ban specifically for the three BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) journalists who are based at the Nottingham Post.
The precise details and extent of the ban have remained ambiguous since its implementation.
According to the Nottingham Post, an article authored by agenda editor Oliver Pridmore, focusing on local government reorganization, is believed to have triggered the measure.
Previously, the council informed the BBC that the ban applied “with immediate effect” to both Mr. Barton and councillors affiliated with his party, preventing them from speaking to the Nottingham Post and its LDRS reporters.
Furthermore, the council reportedly ceased distributing press releases to the publication and extending invitations to council events.
However, Mr. Barton later clarified that the restrictions were limited to press releases and his personal interactions.
At the time, Natalie Fahy, a senior editor, expressed “serious concerns” regarding the “unprecedented ban.” Mr. Barton responded by stating that his party would not “allow misinformation to shape the narrative of our governance.”
On Tuesday, the Nottingham Post reported that the legal letter demands the complete withdrawal of the ban.
The publication maintains that the decision to impose the ban lacks legal foundation “due to its irrationality.”
The Nottingham Post contends that the ban contravenes local government regulations, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (pertaining to freedom of expression), and the council’s own code of conduct for councillors.
When contacted by the BBC, the publication declined to provide additional commentary.
Separately, on Monday, the LDRS confirmed that Mr. Barton had lifted the ban for its three reporters following a private meeting between them and the council’s cabinet.
This reinstatement means the reporters will be included on the council’s press mailing list, be eligible for interviews with Reform councillors, and receive invitations to council events, according to the LDRS.
Jason Gibbins, BBC Local News Partnerships editor, stated, “We welcome the reinstatement of Nottinghamshire Live’s Local Democracy Reporters by the Reform-led council, but continue to urge for the full lifting of the ban on their remaining journalists.”
“Free and fair journalism is vital to local democracy and must be upheld.”
Prominent political figures, including Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice and leader Nigel Farage, have commented on the ban, but a resolution has yet to be reached.
Mr. Barton and the council have been contacted for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.
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Nottinghamshire County Council leader Mick Barton is still refusing to be interviewed by a local paper.
Nottinghamshire County Council had been due to discuss a decision to limit access for reporters.
The NHS trust who runs the services says it is now costing more money than they receive for it.
The restriction is currently in place across 12 sites around Nottinghamshire.
Nigel Farage says he will look to be a peacemaker between Mick Barton and the Nottingham Post.
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