Press access restricted at Notts council

Reform UK leader Mick Barton bans Nottingham Post and Nottinghamshire Live reporters from engaging with the council, raising alarms about press access.

Reform UK council leader bans local newspaper reporters

Nottinghamshire County Council, led by Reform UK, has ordered that reporters from the Nottingham Post and its online arm Nottinghamshire Live be barred from speaking to the council leader or any councillors with immediate effect. The ban stems from a disagreement over coverage of a local government reorganisation. Local Democracy Reporting Service reporters at the outlet are also blocked from interviews. The authority will stop sending press releases to the publications, and interviews or invitations to council events will be halted. Still, Nottinghamshire Live and the LDRS reporters will continue to attend public meetings.

Reform took control of the county council in May after winning 40 of 66 seats. Opposition figures criticized the move: Liberal Democrat Max Wilkinson called it dangerous and chilling, Conservative Sam Smith described it as an extremely dangerous step, and the Lib Dems have asked Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to intervene. The BBC noted that independent journalism is vital to local democracy and that journalists must be free to question those in power without fear of reprisals, a point echoed by Notts Live editors who argue the ban undermines taxpayers’ ability to see how money is spent.

This clash tests the balance between local governance and the public's right to know. When officials bar reporters, the public loses a key channel to scrutinise decision-making and spending. The swift cross-party criticism suggests broad agreement that access to information is a cornerstone of democracy rather than a political perk.

In the longer term, the episode could reshape how councils handle communications and oversight. It highlights the fragile relationship between powers and the press, and it raises questions about what mechanisms exist to resolve disputes without limiting accountability. The Local Democracy Reporting Service and regional outlets may play a crucial role in filling the gaps if such bans persist, underscoring the ongoing importance of editorial independence.

Highlights

The test ahead is whether local journalism can remain a check on power under pressure.