PCC 'out of touch' with reality

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Michael McCann MP says a false story about his expenses has shown him the difficulties of dealing with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).

The PCC has for many years avoided facing up to a number of thorny issues.

In my adjournment debate I will argue it is high time these challenges are met.

The press has the right to publish anything it wants to, so long as it does so accurately and fairly. It is free to be partisan, although it must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.

And I will fight to ensure it continues to enjoy those freedoms because I value the freedom of the press. It is a cornerstone of our democracy.

I think it is right for the press to work within a voluntary code but there is now further evidence emerging of problems which need to be addressed. Sadly, these challenges are not new.

My views are based on my own personal experience of dealing with the PCC Editor's Code of Practise which, sadly, I have had to do in my short spell as a Member of Parliament.

As the code states the press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information.

One of my local newspapers printed a story stating that I had claimed hotel expenses and rented a London property at the same time.

The story was trailed on the front page and appeared prominently on page nine, it had been fabricated in an attempt to mislead readers and destroy my reputation.

The newspaper then refused to publish the truth or apologise and I was forced to complain to the PCC.

The PCC carried out a full, thorough and professional investigation and found that the code had been breached.

The adjudication which was eventually printed was placed at the bottom of page nine, much less prominently than the original article.There was no trail on the front page.

It was said to have been given due prominence by the PCC; I contend that it was given less prominence when it should have been given equal prominence.

This issue of prominence has to be addressed by the PCC. If a complaint is upheld the correction must be given equal prominence to the original story. The letters pages also require attention. I discovered these are covered by the Editors Code of Practice.

When I was the subject of the misleading article the same edition contained a letter attacking me in the same way as the so-called news story.

The author was protected under the guise of 'name and address withheld'.
I therefore made a complaint to the PCC about the veracity of the letter only to be told that because the writer wanted to remain anonymous no investigation could take place.

If the PCC think their position on this matter is justified in any way they are seriously out of touch with reality.

If we don't know who wrote the letter how do I know it is genuine?

The two problems I have highlighted are not new. I hope the short debate this evening can put them into the public domain.

Michael McCannhas been Labour MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow since 2010.