Reform council lifts newspaper ban in face of legal challenge

The Reform-led council barred Nottinghamshire Live reporters from interviews with its leader, Mick Barton, and from attending council-run events.

It also removed the paper from its circulation list for council press releases.

Nottinghamshire Live, along with its owners Reach, sent its pre-action protocol letter on 25 September, claiming that the decision was irrational, breached 2012 local government regulations, Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights and Nottinghamshire County Council's own councillor code of conduct.

The council has now ended its ban, the newspaper's editor, Natalie Fahy, confirmed on Thursday (2 October).

Commenting on the move, Fahy said: "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.

"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.

"This sends a firm message that journalists will not back down if our freedoms are attacked."

A spokesperson for Reach meanwhile added: "Local journalism underpins accountability in communities up and down the nation, such actions setting a dangerous precedent by elected officials.

"We stood by our team every step of the way and we are also grateful for the wider media landscape rallying behind us as we sought to get this reversed and have the Reform council confirm its commitment to a free press."

Nottinghamshire Live had previously claimed that the ban was implemented following the publication of an article about local government reorganisation, which contained a claim that those not voting for Cllr Barton's preference on the issue could be suspended.

The ban was initially imposed on at least four reporters, including three local democracy reporters.

The county council lifted its ban on the local democracy reporters ahead of the legal challenge, following a private meeting between the council and Nottinghamshire Live.

Nottinghamshire County Council has been approached for comment.

Adam Carey