Nottinghamshire County Council, led by Reform UK, has reversed a ban on journalists from the Nottingham Post and its website, Nottinghamshire Live, following a threat of legal action. The ban, in place for over a month, had prevented the outlet from attending public council events and receiving press releases.
The council's leader, Mick Barton, imposed the ban after objecting to an article about internal splits over local government reorganisation plans. The move was condemned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and local MPs.
Reach, the owner of the Nottingham Post, sent a legal letter arguing the ban breached local government regulations and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of expression. The council's litigation team manager, Geoff Russell, attributed the restrictions to a “miscommunication or misunderstanding” and confirmed the ban was lifted.
Natalie Fahy, editor of Nottinghamshire Live, welcomed the decision, stating: “This sends a firm message that journalists will not back down if our freedoms are attacked.” She had previously warned the ban was a troubling sign for press freedom under a potential Reform UK government.
The ban had been partially rolled back earlier, but full access was only restored after the legal threat. It remains unclear whether Barton will agree to be interviewed by the outlet.
