Reform-led Derbyshire council cuts contact with reporter over coverage of garden blockade case
Derbyshire County Council, led by Reform, has said it will stop responding to local democracy reporter Eddie Bisknell, prompting criticism that the move threatens press freedom. Bisknell had reported on 81-year-old Helene Ball’s legal fight with the council over access through her garden gate, a case that drew national attention after the council placed large concrete blocks outside her home.
The council says it lost confidence in Bisknell over concerns about accuracy, balance and conduct, and argues his story was published while legal proceedings were ongoing. His editor disputes those claims, saying the report was based on a court judgment and the council had 24 hours to respond; Conservative group leader Alex Dale also criticised the decision. The council says it has not banned engagement with local news generally, but will not answer requests from Bisknell, and the article notes a similar dispute involving another Reform-led county council.
- Derbyshire Council will no longer respond to reporter Eddie Bisknell.
- The dispute followed his coverage of a grandmother’s legal case.
- His editor and opposition politicians condemned the decision.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Outrage after Reform-led council ban journalist who revealed Grandmother’s ‘Lego blockade’ plight in latest attack on media freedom”.