PCC censures Sunday World for inaccurate stories

The Press Complaints Commission has upheld a complaint against the Northern Ireland edition of the Sunday World after it published inaccurate information about a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Gerry McHugh, and his former partner.

Angela Foran, who had been in a relationship with Mr McHugh, complained that the newspaper had misled readers on two points. First, it had suggested that she was the cause of Mr McHugh's marriage breakdown when, in fact, she and Mr McHugh had started their relationship long after he and his wife separated. Second, the newspaper had referred to Ms Foran's father as 'a British Army general' who worked in the 'intelligence services'. In reality, she said, he had only carried out national service and had not attained such a high rank - and had not worked in the intelligence services.

The newspaper was not able satisfactorily to corroborate the claims under complaint and it failed to offer to publish a correction. As a result, the complaint was upheld and the newspaper has now published the Commission's adjudication.

Two further parts of Ms Foran's complaint were not upheld. To see the ruling in full, click here.

For more information please contact Stephen Abell on 020 7831 0022.

2/6/09