Committee publication · Correspondence · 8 September 2025
Letter, dated 1 August 2025, from Charlotte Dewar, Chief Executive Officer, IPSO, with original letter from Mr Speaker, dated 21 July 2025
From: Speaker's Conference (2024)
Inquiry: Speaker’s Conference on the security of candidates, MPs and elections
Summary
Charlotte Dewar, CEO of IPSO, responds to Speaker Lindsay Hoyle's 21 July letter on press harassment and regulation. IPSO clarifies its harassment services (24-hour helpline, privacy notices), standards on home visits and headlines under the Editors' Code, and its regulatory scope covering independent journalists working for or commissioned by regulated publishers. Dewar offers to collaborate with Parliament on MP safety awareness.
Key findings
- IPSO was unaware of an alleged incident where an MP's son was deceived into sharing a parent's phone number; Dewar requests details to investigate under the Editors' Code.
- IPSO operates a 24-hour harassment helpline (0300 123 22 20) and can issue confidential privacy notices to prevent intrusion; services extended to all regulated publications plus non-regulated outlets on goodwill basis.
- Clause 3 (Harassment) prohibits intimidation, persistent pursuit, and home contact unless journalists can justify public interest; Clause 1 (Accuracy) requires care over headlines not supported by article text.
- IPSO's regulatory remit covers independent journalists when their activity is commissioned by or directly feeds into material published by regulated entities, enforced through Scheme Membership Agreement.
- IPSO has distributed information packs to all MPs post-2024 election and sends quarterly newsletters on protective services; Dewar seeks partnership with Speaker's Conference to raise awareness among parliamentarians.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Charlotte Dewar, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation), Speaker's Conference, Editors' Code Committee, Regulated publishers, Members of Parliament
Notable line
“(Harassment) sets a clear standard that journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit; and further that they must cease in questioning, telephoning …”
Key Quotes
“I was deeply concerned to read the report that a Member of Parliament's son was persuaded to share their parent's mobile telephone number through deception.”
“IPSO operates a 24-hour harassment helpline. This can be reached on 0300 123 22 20 between 9am to 5pm and by leaving a message for a call back on 07799 903929 when out of hours.”
“Clause 3 (Harassment) sets a clear standard that journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit; and further that they must cease in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist …”
“It is the responsibility of editors and publishers to apply the Code to editorial material in both printed and online versions of their publications.”
“I would be keen to work with yourself and your office to explore ways we can increase awareness of IPSO's harassment services, so every MP can feel reassured there is support available to them, should they need it.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗