Reform UK'S ban on Post denounced by former leaders

THREE former Nottinghamshire County Council leaders have denounced the “dangerous” ban on the Post by its current Reform UK leadership.

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

The ban will see all Post journalists being denied interviews with the county council's leader or any of his 40 Reform councillors.

The move was confirmed on Tuesday in response to an article on local government reorganisation (LGR) with which council leader Mick Barton disagreed. The ban also covers the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) journalists managed by the newspaper.

Three former county councillors, who between them led the authority for more than 12 years, have criticised the move.

Kay Cutts, who led the county council for the Conservatives from 2009-2013 and 2017-2021, said: “I’m afraid that's democracy.

“When you stand for public office, you can expect to be criticised as well as have people agreeing with you.

“Over the years, I've been upset and annoyed, but I would never seek to ban the press, because I think the press are a vital part of this country, even when I disagree with you.

“T would defend to the end the rights of the Nottingham Post and all journalists”

The Liberal Democrats at the national level have picked up on the ban and have urged party leader Nigel Farage to intervene.

Max Wilkinson MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for culture, media and sport, said: “Reform’s move to block local journalists from reporting on their work is straight out of Donald Trump's playbook.