Overview

• The council confirmed the outlet’s return to public event invitations and press release distributions in an Oct. 2 letter from litigation manager Geoff Russell.
• Leader Mick Barton had imposed the restrictions after objecting to reporting on internal splits over local government reorganisation and possible suspensions.
• Reach’s lawyers at CMS LLP argued the move breached local government rules and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, while the council cited a “miscommunication or misunderstanding.”
• Access for three BBC-funded local democracy reporters managed by the publisher was restored on Sept. 29 before the complete reversal for all staff.
• Barton’s willingness to grant interviews remains unresolved, as the original ban drew criticism from national politicians and more than 40,000 petitioners.