Story perspectives

Derbyshire Council ends journalist Eddie Bisknell engagement after judge order

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 10:12 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Derbyshire Council Terminates Bisknell

Derbyshire County Council ended its engagement with reporter Eddie Bisknell.
Deputy leader Stephen Reed announced the move on live BBC Radio Derby.
Council cited ongoing concerns about Bisknell’s reporting standards, accuracy, balance and conduct.
Reed later admitted his claim of a 24-hour response window was incorrect.
Judge Robert Brown ordered the council to pay Helene Ball about £50,000 and not block her access.

Summary

Alex Dale Condemns Ban

Councillor Alex Dale condemned the ban, saying Reform councillors should be ashamed.
Dale said he never imagined Reform would restrict a journalist’s reporting freedom.
Dale warned the ban mirrors Nottinghamshire’s earlier communications blackout, calling it a repeat of a harmful playbook.

History

Historical Context

After the Local Government Act 1972 re-created Nottinghamshire as a non-metropolitan county in 1974, the new council assumed authority over elections that later drew criticism when Judge Robert Brown ordered a £50,000 damages payment to journalist Helene Ball for unlawful press restrictions. Similar disputes resurfaced in Derbyshire, while the 2024 East Midlands Combined County Authority now oversees regional transparency.

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Derbyshire Council Terminates Bisknell

Derbyshire County Council ended its engagement with reporter Eddie Bisknell.
Deputy leader Stephen Reed announced the move on live BBC Radio Derby.
Council cited ongoing concerns about Bisknell’s reporting standards, accuracy, balance and conduct.
Reed later admitted his claim of a 24-hour response window was incorrect.
Judge Robert Brown ordered the council to pay Helene Ball about £50,000 and not block her access.

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