Reform UK's administration at Derbyshire County Council has ended engagement with Local Democracy Reporter Eddie Bisknell, a move that has drawn condemnation from press freedom advocates and journalism unions.
Bisknell, who reports for the Derby Telegraph and DerbyshireLive as part of Reach PLC, had covered an 81-year-old woman's legal victory over the council concerning a garden fence.
Society of Editors Condemns Decision
Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, told the Mirror: "Refusing to engage with a journalist because you object to their reporting sets a dangerous precedent."
She added: "Public bodies must be open to scrutiny, including when the questions are uncomfortable and the coverage is critical. Journalists must be free to investigate, ask questions and hold those in power to account... Cutting off contact with the reporter is plainly wrong and does nothing to resolve those concerns. This matters far beyond one journalist or one story. When a public body shuts out a reporter, it is the public who lose access to answers about decisions taken in their name and money spent on their behalf."
Alford continued: "The Society of Editors urges Reform-led Derbyshire County Council to reverse this decision. Local journalism is essential to democratic accountability, and councils should defend the public's right to know by engaging openly with those asking questions."
Council Cites 'Prolonged Concerns'
Deputy council leader Stephen Reed reportedly announced the move in an interview with BBC Radio Derby, followed by a press release. A copy seen by the Mirror is headed "Reform UK Administration Ends Engagement with Individual Local Democracy Reporter Following Loss of Confidence" and is described as a "political statement from the Reform UK administration… not a corporate statement issued by Derbyshire County Council".
The release states: "The Reform UK administration at Derbyshire County Council has taken the decision to end engagement with an individual Local Democracy Reporter following a prolonged period of concerns regarding reporting standards, accuracy, balance and professional conduct. The administration wishes to make absolutely clear that this decision is not an attack on freedom of the press, local journalism or the principle of scrutiny."
It claimed the decision had "not been taken because of a single article or individual disagreement", alleging concerns had "been raised over a longer period". However, in a separate op-ed, Councillor Reed detailed grievances over Bisknell's reporting on retired teacher Helene Ball's row with the council.
Bisknell last month reported that Ball had won a three-year battle against the council, which had fenced across a gap in her garden her family had used for decades. Ball took legal action after the council cemented a metal fence panel in 2023, before Reform took control.
Journalism Bodies Demand Reversal
Natalie Fahy, Reach PLC's regional editor-in-chief for London and East of England, said: "We utterly reject this attack on our journalism, stand fully opposed to the false claims made about Eddie's and our editorial practices and urge Councillor Reed to retract his press releases… This ban is an attack on democracy, on the freedom of the press and most importantly on the public's right to know what goes on at County Hall."
Laura Davison, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said: "We urge the Reform group on Derbyshire County Council to get off its high horse and respect the democratic norms voters and local communities they represent expect. We expect nothing less than for the 'engagement' ban it has imposed to be lifted immediately."
Derbyshire Reform reportedly said the move was not an outright "ban" on engaging with local news but that Bisknell's requests for comment or information will not be responded to. The development follows a similar incident last year when Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council temporarily banned Nottingham Post reporters.
A BBC spokesperson said: "Independent journalism is vital to local democracy, and journalists must be free to question those in power without fear of reprisals. We urge both sides in seeking a resolution."
Derbyshire County Council was contacted for comment.
