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Sunday Mirror cleared by Ipso over Tory minister sex sting Sunday Mirror cleared by Ipso over Tory minister sex sting
(about 13 hours later)
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) has cleared the Sunday Mirror over the sex sting that led to the resignation of Conservative minister Brooks Newmark MP.The Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) has cleared the Sunday Mirror over the sex sting that led to the resignation of Conservative minister Brooks Newmark MP.
Newmark resigned as minister for civil society in September last year after the Sunday Mirror told him it was running a story about explicit photos he had sent to a fake Twitter account set up by Alex Wickham, a journalist for the Guido Fawkes blog.Newmark resigned as minister for civil society in September last year after the Sunday Mirror told him it was running a story about explicit photos he had sent to a fake Twitter account set up by Alex Wickham, a journalist for the Guido Fawkes blog.
The regulator’s report concluded that Wickham and the Sunday Mirror had been justified in using subterfuge because they had information that Newmark had approached other women on social media and there was no other way to get the story.The regulator’s report concluded that Wickham and the Sunday Mirror had been justified in using subterfuge because they had information that Newmark had approached other women on social media and there was no other way to get the story.
The ruling also said the story was justified in the public interest because it exposed “serious impropriety” by Newmark that contradicted his public commitment to high standards of behaviour and promotion of senior female Conservatives.The ruling also said the story was justified in the public interest because it exposed “serious impropriety” by Newmark that contradicted his public commitment to high standards of behaviour and promotion of senior female Conservatives.
Ipso said six months ago that it was initiating an investigation into whether the sting amounted to entrapment and contravened the editors’ code. The announcement came just three weeks after the regulator was formed, and the handling of the case was expected to be its first big test.Ipso said six months ago that it was initiating an investigation into whether the sting amounted to entrapment and contravened the editors’ code. The announcement came just three weeks after the regulator was formed, and the handling of the case was expected to be its first big test.
Ipso CEO Matt Tee said: “The editors’ code prohibits subterfuge unless in the public interest, and only then where there is no other practical means of obtaining the story. After a lengthy investigation we have found that the subterfuge used was justified at each stage of the investigation and publication was in the public interest.”Ipso CEO Matt Tee said: “The editors’ code prohibits subterfuge unless in the public interest, and only then where there is no other practical means of obtaining the story. After a lengthy investigation we have found that the subterfuge used was justified at each stage of the investigation and publication was in the public interest.”
The Sunday Mirror provided Ipso with redacted records of the exchanges with Newmark in order to protect Newmark’s privacy, a decision which Ipso questioned. However, the regulator said it had sufficient information to reach its conclusions.The Sunday Mirror provided Ipso with redacted records of the exchanges with Newmark in order to protect Newmark’s privacy, a decision which Ipso questioned. However, the regulator said it had sufficient information to reach its conclusions.
A Mirror spokesperson said: “We have always stood by our story on Brooks Newmark and strongly believe there was a clear public interest which justified the investigation and publication. We are therefore pleased that Ipso came to the same conclusion when it discussed the matter.”A Mirror spokesperson said: “We have always stood by our story on Brooks Newmark and strongly believe there was a clear public interest which justified the investigation and publication. We are therefore pleased that Ipso came to the same conclusion when it discussed the matter.”
Wickham posed on Twitter as a “twentysomething Tory PR girl” called Sophie Wittams, following celebrities, newspapers, political organisations and a number of MPs, including Newmark, who Wickham said was always the main target of his investigation.Wickham posed on Twitter as a “twentysomething Tory PR girl” called Sophie Wittams, following celebrities, newspapers, political organisations and a number of MPs, including Newmark, who Wickham said was always the main target of his investigation.
Newmark initiated private communication with the account, before suggesting they meed and requesting a photograph of “Sophie”. He later sent a sexually explicit photo of himself to the account after Wickham suggested they “take it to the next level”.Newmark initiated private communication with the account, before suggesting they meed and requesting a photograph of “Sophie”. He later sent a sexually explicit photo of himself to the account after Wickham suggested they “take it to the next level”.
Wickham told the Ipso investigation that the sources who told him Newmark had approached them was not prepared to go on the record, meaning there was no other way to get the story. The Mirror told the Ipso investigation that the sources who contacted Wickham about Newmark were not prepared to go on the record, meaning there was no other way to get the story.
The Sun and the Mail on Sunday rejected the story when Wickham approached them, before going to the Mirror. Wickham contributes to the Guido Fawkes diary column in the Sun.The Sun and the Mail on Sunday rejected the story when Wickham approached them, before going to the Mirror. Wickham contributes to the Guido Fawkes diary column in the Sun.
Though Wickham instigated the sting as a freelancer, the Sunday Mirror accepted responsibility for the story. The Guido Fawkles blog is not signed up to Ipso.Though Wickham instigated the sting as a freelancer, the Sunday Mirror accepted responsibility for the story. The Guido Fawkles blog is not signed up to Ipso.
IPSO investigated the sting proactively without an active complaint after Mark Pritchard MP, who initially claimed he was targeted as part of a fishing expedition by the Wittams account, came to an agreement with the regulator.IPSO investigated the sting proactively without an active complaint after Mark Pritchard MP, who initially claimed he was targeted as part of a fishing expedition by the Wittams account, came to an agreement with the regulator.
Newmark said in October he would not seek re-election at the end of the current parliament. The regulator said that Newmark declined to co-perate with its investigation.Newmark said in October he would not seek re-election at the end of the current parliament. The regulator said that Newmark declined to co-perate with its investigation.
Ipso chairman, Sir Alan Moses, has previously stated that the regulator’s determination to investigate matters of public concern without a complaint marks it out from its predecessor, the Press Complaints Commission.Ipso chairman, Sir Alan Moses, has previously stated that the regulator’s determination to investigate matters of public concern without a complaint marks it out from its predecessor, the Press Complaints Commission.
•This article was amended on 26 March 2015 to clarify that it was the Mirror, not Wickham who told Ipso the sources were not prepared to go on the record