Families were ‘hounded’ in wake of attack

LORD Kerslake’s report criticised sections of the media for their approach to those caught up in the atrocity. Families spoke of being ‘hounded’ or treated with a ‘lack of respect’.

‘To have experienced such intrusive and overbearing behaviour at a time of such enormous vulnerability seemed to us to be completely and utterly unacceptable,’ Lord Kerslake said.

However, he added: ‘We recognise that this was some, but by no means all, [of] the media and that the media also have a positive and important role to play.’ Yesterday the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the media watchdog, confirmed that it has received no complaints about the conduct of any journalist working for the Daily Mail who reported on the attack.

However, Lord Kerslake recommended that, in light of the attack, IPSO should review the operation of the Editors’ Code – rules that govern the working practices of journalists.