Complaint 04734-16 Dell’Olio v The Mail on Sunday
Summary of complaint:
1. Nancy Dell’Olio
complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that the Mail on
Sunday breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an
article headlined “Nancy knows a man who can make your nose thinner for £500”,
published on 31 January 2016.
2. The article
suggested that the complainant had undergone a non-surgical rhinoplasty,
carried out by a named practitioner.
3. The complainant
said that the claims in the article were false; she had not undergone any such
procedure.
4. The newspaper said that it had received the information in the article from an individual who had purported to be acting as the complainant’s public relations representative. This individual had been listed in media directories as acting for the complainant.
Relevant Code provisions:
5. 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:
6. The complaint
was not resolved through direct correspondence between the parties. IPSO
therefore began an investigation into the matter.
7. Following IPSO’s involvement, the newspaper offered to publish the following correction:
An article on January 31 2016, suggested that Nancy Dell’Olio may have had some non-surgical cosmetic treatment from a London specialist. We are happy to make clear that Ms Dell’Olio has had no such treatment and does not know the doctor mentioned.
8. The complainant
said that this would resolve the matter to her satisfaction.
9. 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: 08/07/2016
Date complaint concluded by IPSO: 25/10/2016
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.
