Reform council boss bans local newspaper's reporters
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Reform UK leader, Mick Barton, has barred the Nottingham Post and its online platform Nottinghamshire Live from contacting him or his councillors, following what he described as a misunderstanding over coverage of local government reorganisation.
The ban also extends to BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) journalists based at the newspaper. According to the council, Barton and his colleagues will no longer send press releases to the paper, grant interviews, or invite its reporters to council events. The only exceptions will be emergencies such as flooding, severe weather, adult social care crises, or school incidents. Reporters, however, will still be able to attend public meetings.
Barton, who has served on Mansfield District Council since 2003 and was elected to the county council in May before becoming chairman, was not available for comment. Reform UK won 40 of 66 council seats in May’s elections.
Reaction to the Ban
The decision has sparked criticism across political and media circles.
Natalie Fahy, senior editor of Nottinghamshire Live, called the move “a direct attack on the free press,” adding:
“We pride ourselves on balanced, accurate coverage of all political parties. Our treatment of Reform has been no different to any other group. This undermines accountability and prevents residents from knowing how taxpayers’ money is being spent.”
Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson urged Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to intervene, describing the move as “straight out of Donald Trump’s playbook” and “dangerous and chilling.”
Conservative councillor Sam Smith, opposition leader on the county council, warned it was “a very risky move” that effectively silences residents’ voices:
“It’s not just about the paper being shut out — it’s about Nottinghamshire losing access to the views and scrutiny that local democracy needs.”
The BBC, which funds 165 LDRS reporters nationwide, including three in Nottingham, also criticised the decision. A spokesperson said:
“Independent journalism is vital to local democracy. Journalists must be able to question and criticise those in power without fear of reprisal.”
Despite the ban, Nottinghamshire Live has vowed to continue reporting on Reform UK and the council.
