View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
November 16, 2010

Esser: MPs’ expenses scoop illegal under Bribery Act

By Dominic Ponsford

The Daily Telegraph’s award-winning scoop on MPs’ expenses last year would be illegal under the Bribery Act, Daily Mail executive managing editor Robin Esser warned this morning.

The new president of the Society of Editors used his closing speech at the group’s conference in Glasgow to condemn the many pieces of legislation that can now be used against journalists.

He said: “In Britain there are now many Acts under which journalists can be jailed for doing their job. Jail is the punishment for breaches of the Bribery Act, potentially in the Data Protection Act, in the Harassment Act and in the anti-terrorist laws.

“It is prescribed in the Representation of the People Act, in the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994.In the Criminal Justice & Immigration Act 2008. In the Racial & Religious Hatred Act 2006 in the Public Order Act and the Criminal Justice Act 1987and in the Official Secrets Act 1989.

“The Labour Government, almost with its last breath, brought in the Bribery Act which could – and given the impact on Members of Parliament possibly would – have been used to prevent the Daily Telegraph publishing their MP’s expenses expose which has altered the face of Parliament for ever.

“Obtaining the scoop in the way the Telegraph did is now illegal under the terms of this Act. And, incredibly, the Act has no public interest defence. It’s a wonder many of us are not behind bars.”

Esser used his speech to call for the abolition of Ofcom.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

He said: ‘Licences for journalism should have no place in a democratic society. Ofcom has an annual budget of £143m mostly paid for by the taxpayer and they currently employ 873 people.

‘The Press Complaints Commission‘s annual budget is just under £2m and they employ 15.5 people, the taxpayer’s contribution is nil.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network