Derbyshire Council Accused of Attacking Democracy Over Journalist Ban

Reform-led Derbyshire County Council has been accused of attacking democracy after deciding to cease engagement with Eddie Bisknell, a Local Democracy Reporter. The decision follows Bisknell's reporting on an 81-year-old retired teacher, Helene Ball, who was involved in a three-year, £50,000 legal dispute with the council over access to her garden gate.

The 'Lego Blockade' Case

Ball took legal action in April 2023 when she discovered a metal fence cemented over a gap in her garden wall, which led to a council-owned car park. Ball, a resident since 1967, stated that she and her family had used this route for nearly 60 years without opposition. A judge ruled in her favor, establishing her right to access the route, and the council was ordered to pay her approximately £50,000 in costs and ensure access was not impeded.

Following her victory, Ball discovered 54 large concrete blocks, described as 'Lego-style,' placed along the road behind her property and the adjacent grass verge. The council was criticized by a judge for its handling of the case, which was labeled as 'pugnacious.'

Council's Justification and Rebuttal

In a press release, Deputy Council Leader Councillor Stephen Reed stated that the council had 'lost confidence' in Bisknell's reporting due to 'a prolonged period of concerns regarding reporting standards, accuracy, balance and professional conduct.' Reed specifically criticized Bisknell's story about Ball, claiming it should not have been published because it related to 'ongoing legal proceedings' and that the council was given insufficient time to respond.

Derbyshire Telegraph Editor-in-Chief Natalie Fahy refuted these claims, stating that the council was given 24 hours to respond and that the original story was based on a court judgment, not an ongoing case. Fahy described Bisknell as 'a thorn in the council's side (as any good journalist should be)' and noted that the council had not previously raised formal complaints about his reporting.

Reform UK in Derbyshire issued a statement asserting that the decision was not an attack on freedom of the press but a measure to uphold high standards of fairness and accuracy. However, Reed later acknowledged that his initial claim regarding the council's response time was incorrect.

Wider Implications and Reactions

Bisknell is one of 165 Local Democracy Reporters funded by the BBC to cover local politics, with his work appearing in the Derby Telegraph and Derbyshire Times. His story about Mrs. Ball was subsequently covered by national newspapers.

Councillor Alex Dale, leader of the Conservative Group, criticized the council's decision, stating that 'freedom of the press is an absolute cornerstone of our democracy.'

The BBC issued a statement emphasizing the vital role of independent journalism in local democracy and urging both sides to seek a resolution.

This incident echoes a similar ban by Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council against the Nottingham Post, which was later lifted following a legal challenge. That ban was imposed after an article concerning local government reorganization.