Summary of complaint
1. Benet Hiscock
complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, on behalf of the
House of Lords, that the Daily Mail breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the
Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined “Forget a lady’s name? That’s
a sexist crime, Sir Martin!”, published on 6 May 2016.
2. The complainant
said that the article had inaccurately suggested that the House of Lords
administration was appropriating tips intended for waiters. He said that, prior
to publication, the newspaper had been informed that 100% of the gratuities
paid in House of Lords catering outlets are distributed to catering staff. He
said that the article had not made clear that the Christmas Fund, through which
Members can make voluntary donations to catering staff and which funds a
Christmas party for those staff, is entirely separate to tips collected through
the year.
3. The newspaper
said it was satisfied that the article had made clear the accurate position. It
said that the article had not suggested that the House of Lords was not
distributing all gratuities to the catering staff, and had distinguished
between the standard tips received and the special Christmas Fund.
Relevant Code provisions
4. Clause 1
(Accuracy)
(i) The press must
take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or
images, including headlines not supported by the text.
(ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and – where appropriate – an apology published.
Mediated outcome
5. The complaint was
not resolved through direct correspondence between the parties. IPSO therefore
began an investigation into the matter.
6. The newspaper
offered to append the following footnote to the online article:
“The House has asked us to point out that 100% of the value
of ordinary tips received are distributed to catering staff, save for NI
deductions, of course.”
7. The complainant
said publication of the footnote would resolve the matter to his satisfaction.
8. As the complaint was successfully mediated, the Complaints Committee did not make a determination as to whether there had been any breach of the Code.
Date complaint received: 16/05/2016
Date complaint resolved: 21/06/2016
The Independent Press Standards Organisation C.I.C. is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with registered number 02538908.
