Reform UK-led Derbyshire County Council accused of 'attack on democracy'

Eddie is employed by the Derby Telegraph/Derbyshire Live under the BBC-funded LDR scheme but also provides copy for the Derbyshire Times and local BBC news outlets.

The ban was announced by the council’s deputy leader Stephen Reed in a press release, following Eddie’s coverage of a dispute concerning access to a former council car park in Matlock.

Cllr Reed said: “What began as a local story about Mrs Ball, her rear garden gate and the former staff car park off Cavendish Road has been carried by national newspapers, broadcasters and online platforms. Versions have appeared internationally, while the original reporter has publicly celebrated the story reaching countries including Argentina, Canada, India, the Netherlands and the United States. That reach matters.”

Derbyshire Live editor Natalie Fahy has rejected the council’s accusations of a “prolonged period of concerns regarding reporting standards, accuracy, balance and professional conduct.”

Natalie said the story about 81-year-old Helene Ball’s battle and the counci’s decision to block her route out, was ‘perfectly accurate’.

Mrs Ball said she felt bullied and a judgement from a tribunal of the Land Registry agreed with her.

The ruling from Judge Robert Brown said legal representation from the council was “surprisingly combative” given its “limited evidence” and “unsubstantiated assertions”.

Judge Brown found parts of the legal representation for the council “totally irrelevant”, “most unhelpful” and dubbed the litigation “pugnacious”.

Natalie said: “Court reporting, including written judgements such as this, doesn’t normally require a right of reply. However, because we’re responsible we went to the county council and asked for their response. We gave them just under 24 hours to do this. Cllr Reed claims he only had four hours to respond.”

Cllr Reed said the council wouldn’t comment on the story because it was a ‘live case’ – but the judgement was published from the Land Registry tribunal. The case is no longer ongoing and there is no risk of prejudice to any proceedings.

Natalie said: “We’ll still be able to attend meetings but it appears we won’t be allowed to ask vital questions of the people in charge of Derbyshire – simply because Eddie has been a bit of a thorn in the council’s side (as any good journalist should be).

“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 Cllr 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.”

Councillor Alex Dale is the Leader of the Conservative Group on Derbyshire County Council has hit out at the decision stating “freedom of the press is an absolute cornerstone of our democracy” and “any attack on the freedom of the press is an attack on democracy itself.”

He said: “When the Conservatives were running Derbyshire County Council, it would be fair to say we didn’t always leap out of bed in the morning looking forward to reading Eddie’s latest story. From time to time he was most certainly a thorn in our side and I suspect he would be rather disappointed if he wasn’t.

“But however much we might have disagreed with a story, challenged his interpretation or wished he’d found something else to write about that week, we would never in a million years have dreamt of trying to ban him from County Hall or restrict his freedom to report on the Council.

“Reform talk a great talk about freedom of speech, but this decision suggests that principle only matters when it suits them. When scrutiny becomes uncomfortable, their response is to try to shut it out. It is an incredibly petulant and childish reaction to not getting their own way.

“Unfortunately, we have seen this playbook before. Reform in neighbouring Nottinghamshire imposed a communications blackout on local journalists after taking exception to a story there. Now we are seeing another row over press access here in Derbyshire.

“Ultimately, this is about accountability. Being held to account can be uncomfortable (and I know that from experience) but good scrutiny makes for better decisions and better decision-makers. Those entrusted with running a council and spending hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money should be prepared to answer difficult questions, not try to avoid the people asking them.

“We join those urging Derbyshire County Council to reverse this outrageous decision immediately, restore normal access and allow Eddie and other journalists to get on with their job of reporting on the Council freely and independently.”

Cllr Anne Clarke, leader of the Labour Group on Derbyshire County Council added: “Free speech means accepting scrutiny, not shutting it out.

“The Derbyshire County Council Labour & Co-operative Group condemns the decision to bar a Local Democracy Reporter Eddie Bisknell and stands in support of a free press.

“The ban should be lifted.”

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins said: “Residents across Derbyshire rely on our local press to ask difficult questions and publicise the answers. As politicians this can at times be inconvenient and frustrating but it is as central to democracy as voting and elections.

"This arrogant denial of scrutiny will keep residents in the dark about the policies of the County and should scare anyone who believes in democracy, whichever party they support.”

A BBC spokesperson added: “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.”

The Derbyshire Times utterly rejects this attack on our journalism and urge Cllr Reed to retract his press release.