The Reform UK-led Nottinghamshire County Council appears to have rescinded a ban imposed on a local news outlet.
On August 28, council leader Mick Barton prohibited the Nottingham Post and its online platform, Nottinghamshire Live, from engaging with him and other council members, effective immediately.
In response, law firm CMS LLP, representing Reach – the publisher of the Nottingham Post – issued a legal letter to the council on Tuesday, demanding the complete withdrawal of the ban.
Geoff Russell, the county council’s litigation team manager, replied to the letter on Thursday, stating that the council would now resume providing the Post with press releases and extend invitations to council events.
Despite this, the Nottingham Post has expressed that it remains “unclear” whether Mr. Barton will now be willing to communicate with them. However, the publication affirmed its “commitment to building a working relationship going forward.”
Mr. Barton has been contacted for comment.
The ban, according to the Nottingham Post, was triggered by an article authored by its agenda editor, Oliver Pridmore, concerning local government reorganisation.
Subsequently, the council ceased distributing press releases to the Nottingham Post and excluded them from council events.
Mr. Barton later clarified that the restrictions applied solely to the issuance of press releases and to his personal interactions.
He did, however, lift the ban for the three BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service journalists associated with the Nottingham Post.
The Nottingham Post contended that the ban contravened local government regulations, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding freedom of expression, and the council’s own code of conduct for councillors.
“I’m pleased this unprecedented ban has been lifted and the situation finally resolved, so that we can continue to get on with our jobs as we always have done,” commented senior editor Natalie Fahy.
“That means asking questions of elected council officials, having access to publicly-funded information and events and holding them to account on behalf of our communities in Nottinghamshire.”
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