Labour MP Natalie Fleet has called on Reform UK's leadership at Derbyshire County Council to immediately reverse its refusal to engage with local democracy reporter Eddie Bisknell.
The Bolsover MP defended the right of journalists to question those in public office after the administration announced that Bisknell's requests for information and comment would go unanswered.
"Journalists must be free to scrutinise those in power and ask difficult questions without being shut out," Fleet said. She added that the council's Labour and Co-operative group supported a free press and was calling on Reform to "lift this ban. Immediately."
Who is affected
Bisknell reports for the Derby Telegraph and Derbyshire Live through the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service. Deputy council leader Stephen Reed disputes calling the restriction a ban, saying Bisknell can still report on the authority and attend public meetings - but Reform has confirmed it will not respond to his inquiries.
Standards dispute
The leadership cited concerns about reporting standards, accuracy, balance and professional conduct. Derbyshire Live rejected those allegations, with editor-in-chief Natalie Fahy saying no formal complaint had been addressed directly to her.
Car-park story and response times
The dispute included coverage of an 81-year-old resident's successful legal challenge over access from her garden to a council-owned car park. The fence blocking that access had been installed under the previous Conservative administration.
Reed initially claimed the council had been given only four hours to respond. He later accepted that was incorrect; Derbyshire Live said the authority had almost 24 hours.
Society of Editors
The Society of Editors has also urged Reform to reverse the decision, saying public bodies disputing reporting should challenge it with evidence and use established complaints procedures.
Fleet's intervention puts public accountability at the centre of the dispute: journalists must be able to ask difficult questions about decisions taken, and money spent, on residents' behalf.
