View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
April 21, 2016

John Whittingdale still feels press freedom ‘vitally important’ despite having his ‘faith tested to the upmost’

By Dominic Ponsford

Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has revealed his faith in press freedom was "tested to the utmost" by a string revelations about his private life.

But he has maintained that politicans must "tread very carefully" when it comes to press regulation.

Last week four national newspapers were accused of being involved in a cover-up when they decided not to report on Whittingdale's past relationship with a woman who worked in the sex industry.

Since then the Mail on Sunday has reported on two further ex-girlfriends of the minister – a former Page 3 girl and a "mysterious beauty from Belarussia".

The Evening Standard this week published a front-page story about Whittingdale making an official visit to a lapdancing club.

He told MPs during culture questions: "Having had my faith perhaps tested to the utmost I still believe that press freedom is a vitally important component of a free society and we should tread very carefully.

"However the recommendations of the Leveson report have, some, already been implemented and the system is coming in today.

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

"But the exemplary damages provisions of section 40, you will be aware, have been enacted now, the remainder are still under consideration but we do not yet have a recognised press regulator in place but we will continue to consider these matters very carefully."

Under Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, publishers who are members of an officially-recognised regulator (under the Royal Charter) are protected from paying exemplary damages in libel and privacy cases.

Most UK national and regional newspapers have rejected the Royal Charter system and have instead signed up to their own regulator, IPSO.

Whilst exemplary damages are extremely rare, publishers were highly concerned about another part of Section 40 which said those outside the Royal Charter system would pay both sides' costs even if they won libel and privacy cases.

Last October Whittingdale said he was not minded to enact that provision and that appears to remain the case.

Shadow culture secretary Maria Eagle said: "I'm starting to realise why this department is known as the ministry for fun.

"We all know Mr Whittingdale's been distracted from doing his job as Culture Secretary lately by his extra-curricular activities.

"I'm talking about his moonlighting for the Leave Campaign."

She later  referred to a letter that had "fallen in to my lap".

Labour's Paul Farrelly criticised the Culture Secretary for "breaking promises" by failing to push forward with parts of press regulation reform, including cost provision for victims.

The Newcastle-under-Lyme MP said: "Can I thank you for taking us no further forward?

"Implementation of these cost incentives was promised by the then culture secretary Maria Miller, they were promised as a key part of the Leveson reforms specifically by the Prime Minister, not only to Parliament but also to the victims of press abuse, including the family of Madeleine McCann.

"So in signalling already that he has no intention of taking this step, have you reflected very much at all that it is not only thwarting the will of Parliament, breaching a cross-party agreement but also breaking very firm, clear and unequivocal promises made by the Prime Minister and his colleagues?"

Whittingdale said: "I have not indicated that I have no intention, I simply said I was not minded, which means that the matter is still under consideration and my mind and that of my colleagues is open on the matter. Which is why we are continuing to have meetings."

He also added that cost provision for victims could not come into effect until there is a "recognised regulator".

Topics in this article :

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