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Nottinghamshire Live Mounts Legal Challenge as Reform-Led Council Partially Lifts Press Ban

The publisher has given the authority until 2 October to reverse the restrictions.

Overview

  • A legal letter dated 25 September from CMS LLP argues the ban is irrational and breaches 2012 local government decision‑making rules, Article 10 ECHR and the council’s code of conduct.
  • Following a 29 September private meeting, the council restored normal access for the three BBC-funded local democracy reporters managed by Nottinghamshire Live.
  • Other Nottinghamshire Live journalists remain off press mailing lists, are excluded from publicly funded events and have been denied interviews with council leader Mick Barton.
  • Council leaders linked the move to displeasure over an August article about reorganisation plans, though public explanations of the ban’s scope have been inconsistent.
  • Reach says it may pursue further remedies, including an Ombudsman complaint, as the dispute over access to a £1bn authority serving roughly 800,000 residents draws national attention.