In 1957, the editor of the Sunday Express, John Junor, was summoned before MPs and admonished for publishing an article that was considered to be in contempt of Parliament. The article discussed the allocation of petrol during a rationing period and suggested that politicians were receiving more than their fair share. Sir John, as he later became, appeared before the House and offered his “sincere apologies” for questioning the honor and integrity of MPs. However, he argued that the article touched upon matters that were “a proper and, indeed, unavoidable subject of comment in a free Press”. Although he was found guilty of serious contempt, no further action was taken following his apology.
This incident was viewed as an embarrassment for the Commons, as it appeared to restrict freedom of expression, and it hasn’t been repeated until now. Although the editor of the Mail on Sunday has not been officially summoned to the Commons chamber, he is refusing to attend a meeting with the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to discuss an article concerning Angela Rayner’s legs. While the subject matter may seem less significant than the reported misuse of petrol allowances, it is considered to be more important by today’s MPs. Sir Keir Starmer even raised the issue during the last PMQs of the current parliamentary session, denouncing misogyny, while Boris Johnson expressed his sympathy for Ms. Rayner.
Some argue that all political and journalistic discourse should be “kind,” but this expectation is unrealistic in both arenas. Regardless of one’s opinion on the story, which was based on information provided by unnamed MPs to the newspaper, it is not acceptable for politicians to summon and reprimand editors in the same manner as was done in 1957.
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In 1957, the editor of the Sunday Express, John Junor, was summoned before MPs and admonished for publishing an article that was considered to be in contempt of Parliament. The article discussed the allocation of petrol during a rationing period and suggested that politicians were receiving more than their fair share. Sir John, as he later became, appeared before the House and offered his “sincere apologies” for questioning the honor and integrity of MPs. However, he argued that the article touched upon matters that were “a proper and, indeed, unavoidable subject of comment in a free Press”. Although he was found guilty of serious contempt, no further action was taken following his apology.
This incident was viewed as an embarrassment for the Commons, as it appeared to restrict freedom of expression, and it hasn’t been repeated until now. Although the editor of the Mail on Sunday has not been officially summoned to the Commons chamber, he is refusing to attend a meeting with the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to discuss an article concerning Angela Rayner’s legs. While the subject matter may seem less significant than the reported misuse of petrol allowances, it is considered to be more important by today’s MPs. Sir Keir Starmer even raised the issue during the last PMQs of the current parliamentary session, denouncing misogyny, while Boris Johnson expressed his sympathy for Ms. Rayner.
Some argue that all political and journalistic discourse should be “kind,” but this expectation is unrealistic in both arenas. Regardless of one’s opinion on the story, which was based on information provided by unnamed MPs to the newspaper, it is not acceptable for politicians to summon and reprimand editors in the same manner as was done in 1957.