Standards investigations

IPSO can undertake a standards investigation to investigate where it has serious concerns about the behaviour or actions of one or more of its members.

IPSO’s Board makes the decision about whether or not to launch a standards investigation after looking at information gathered by staff on complaints, the whistleblowing hotline and members of the public.

IPSO may require that a standards investigation takes place where:

  • there may have been serious and systemic breaches of the Editors’ Code
  • there has been one or more failure or failures to comply with the requirements of the Board
  • an annual statement identifies significant issues of concern either in relation to a single incident or a pattern of significant, serial or widespread breaches of the Editors’ Code
  • statutory authority reports identify substantial Editors’ Code compliance issues
  • in exceptional circumstances, IPSO reasonably considers that an investigation is desirable because substantial legal issues or Editors’ Code compliance issues are raised.

 

IPSO can impose one or more of the following sanctions if it decides that the concerns are sufficiently serious: 

  • publish an adjudication, which may include a requirement to address the concerns raised
  • impose a fine on the member(s) of up to £1 million
  • require the member(s) to pay the reasonable costs of the investigation
  • require a publisher to submit a quarterly statement for an agreed period
  • terminate the members(s) membership of IPSO.

 

We are currently recruiting for standards investigation panellists.

Standards investigation panelists

Rachel Childs

Rachel Childs is a former headteacher who has held leadership positions across the primary and secondary sectors. She is currently Head of English for Alternative Education in West Berkshire, where she works closely with teenagers experiencing mental and physical ill health. She has served as an ASA Council Member since 2011 and is the current Senior Independent Member. She also sits on the Portman Group’s Independent Complaints Panel.

Dermott Horrigan

Dermott Horrigan retired from Lancashire Police after 35 years’ service, 27 as an investigator at all ranks from constable to detective chief superintendent. He has considerable experience in leading investigations and is an experienced practitioner relating to the acquisition and exploitation of intelligence and the use of sensitive covert tactics. He has worked with the Home Office and national law enforcement partners to develop and shape the landscape relating to the identification and targeting of serious organised crime, particularly in respect of disruption, undercover policing, lawful interception of communications and the mapping of organised crime groups.

Suzanne McCarthy

Suzanne McCarthy is currently Chairman of Depaul UK, a national charity focused on youth homelessness, the Southwark and Lambeth Strategic Health Partnership, the Joint Audit Panel for the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime and the Metropolitan Police Service and the Fundraising Regulator’s Standards Committee. She is a member of Advertising Standards Authority and the Architects Registration Board. She acts as the Independent Appointed Person for the Greater London Authority and is a member of the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Suzanne is a qualified solicitor.

Tom Manson

Tom recently retired as a Senior Officer in the Metropolitan Police Service and has extensive operational experience in Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism. Since leaving policing, Tom has continued his personal development and focused on using his 30 years’ experience to add value helping others. He is currently a Specialist Inspector for Her Majesty’s Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS) where he conducts reviews of Policing in relation to Counter Terrorism and Serious and Organised Crime. Additionally, he is an Associate of the College of Policing where he delivers Senior Officer Investigation training.