Full Breakdown
Derbyshire County Council Ends Direct Engagement with Local Journalist Eddie Bisknell
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Derbyshire County Council’s Reform UK administration announced that it will no longer respond to requests for comment or information from Local Democracy Reporter Eddie Bisknell. Deputy leader Councillor Stephen Reed made the announcement during a live interview on BBC Radio Derby and in a subsequent press release, citing a “prolonged period of concerns” about the reporter’s standards, accuracy, balance and professional conduct.
Background & Context
The decision follows a similar episode in neighbouring Nottinghamshire, where the council banned Nottingham Post reporters—including Local Democracy Reporters—after a story on local-government reorganisation. That ban was lifted after public criticism. In Derbyshire, the dispute centres on Bisknell’s recent story about 81-year-old Helene Ball, who successfully challenged the council’s decision to gate a garden access route that had been used for over 50 years. The council later apologized to Ball but the incident prompted legal action.
Data & Statistics
- The Land Registry tribunal ruled in favour of Mrs Ball, describing the council’s legal representation as “surprisingly combative” and “pugnacious.”
- Mrs Ball is expected to recover approximately £50,000 in legal costs.
- The council’s decision to end engagement applies only to requests directed at Bisknell; other local news outlets remain eligible for comment.
Official Statements & Responses
Councillor Stephen Reed explained that the council’s trust in journalists had been eroded by Bisknell’s reporting, noting previous complaints from the council about the reporter’s narrative style. He maintained that the council needed to protect its ability to operate without what it described as “unsubstantiated assertions.”
Derbyshire Live, which employs Bisknell under the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) scheme, rejected the council’s action as an attack on press freedom and the public’s right to know. The outlet highlighted that the council was given “just under 24 hours” to respond to a request for comment and chose not to do so, contradicting Reed’s earlier claim of a four-hour window.
Criticism & Opposition
Conservative group leader Councillor Alex Dale criticised the move as “despicable” and an affront to democratic accountability, stating that his party would never have considered banning a journalist. Other local politicians echoed this sentiment, arguing that the council’s actions distract from its record in office and undermine transparency. They called for an immediate reversal of the decision and for the council to restore normal access for journalists.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Response window: Reed initially asserted that the council had “less than four hours” to reply to the journalist’s inquiry. Derbyshire Live’s records show the council actually had “just under 24 hours.” Reed later acknowledged the error but did not provide a revised timeline for future engagements.
- Nature of the ban: The council describes the measure as ending “engagement” with Bisknell specifically, while Derbyshire Live interprets it as a de facto ban on the reporter’s ability to obtain information, effectively limiting his reporting capacity.
What’s Next
Derbyshire Live has urged the council to retract its press releases and restore full access for Bisknell and other local journalists. No formal timetable for reversing the decision has been announced, and the council has not indicated whether it will review its engagement policy in light of the criticism.