Backlash hits Press watchdog supported by Mosley’s money
THE Press regulator bankrolled by a Mosley family trust was last night facing a backlash from members, with several considering ditching it.
Editors and publishers of at least nine titles said they were reviewing their relationship.
The racist Mosley leaflet unearthed by the Mail and the fact the former Formula 1 boss’s family’s trust bankrolls the regulator were both cited as reasons for considering their position.
Impress, which was granted state recognition in 2016, receives the vast majority of its finding – nearly £1million a year – from a charity backed by a trust set up in the name of Max Mosley’s son.
Despite repeated threats of legal sanctions if they do not join a state-approved regulator, no national newspapers belong to Impress – most of whose members are small publications, community websites or blogs without office telephone numbers and only email addresses as a point of contact. The nine titles which said they are considering pulling out were the Gedling Eye, Common space, Bognor Regis Post, Chichester Post, South Molton and District news, Bristol 24/7, Skwawkbox, The Wokingham Paper, and Llanelli Online.
Impress chief executive Mr Heawood last night issued a statement claiming it had ‘been in touch’ with all Impress-regulated publications, and that ‘no-one has told us that they are going to resign’.
However, Alan Evans, editor of online Welsh newspaper Llanelli Online, demanded: ‘Are they going to continue to take money linked to Max Mosley? That’s a big question.’
Paul Henderson, publisher of the South Molton and District news, said: ‘I would be a fool not to be looking at the evidence… and then I will have to consider where I take my publications.’
David Bratton, editor of the Gedling Eye, said: ‘In light of the revelations in the Daily Mail, we will be reviewing our relationship with Impress.’
Adam Cunard, editor-in-chief of the Bognor Regis Post and the Chichester Post said: ‘I will be seeking further information before I make a decision.’
A spokesman for CommonSpace said the Scottish news and opinion website would now discuss their Impress membership with board members.
Martin Booth, editor of entertainment magazine Bristol 24/7, told The Times the revelations about Mosley made him uncomfortable about belonging to a regulatory body that he bankrolls. The Left-wing website Skwawkbox said its membership was ‘under review’.
Phil Creighton, publisher of The Wokingham Paper, said he was reviewing his membership.
Robin Young, editor of online newspaper The Gosport Globe, said he was ‘keeping an open mind on the subject’.
Impress is funded through a charity backed by the Alexander Mosley Charitable Trust. It was set up by Mr Mosley in memory of his son who died of a drug overdose aged 39.
In October High Court judges found Mr Mosley did not have an influence over the regulator and the funding arrangement did not infringe on independence.