Shoreham Airshow disaster: Newspapers banned from memorial service despite relatives' plea

The ceremony's organising committee, whose chairman is MP Tim Loughton, have barred Sussex newspapers, including The Argus, from attending on Sunday - exactly three months since the disaster.

Both Mr Loughton and West Sussex County Council, which is responsible for media coverage of the event, said a decision was agreed by the families of the 11 men who died and represented their wishes.

But when some relatives contacted The Argus to talk about the service, they said they were surprised and saddened to learn this newspaper was not allowed to attend.

They asked the council and the organising committee why this decision was made without their consultation and asked it be reverted.

Their request, and an appeal from The Argus, was denied.

Instead BBC Sussex was picked to broadcast the event and a reporter from the London-based Press Association will attend.

The news comes less than a month after the council was slammed by families for removing ribbons from the Shoreham Tollbridge without their permission.

One of the relatives which called on the council to change its mind said: "The community will miss out and nothing will be printed for future generations to read, and this most important moment will be gone forever.

"The Argus has reported everything up to now, with great thought and sensitivity, but will not be there for this very last important service.

"We owe it to the eleven men that died that day that they should be remembered in a caring and sensitive manner and with the respect they deserve.

"The Argus is a local newspaper, for the local community. They would have been proud to have been allowed to report it in a sensitive manner for the community."

Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: "The Argus should be there. Reporting on this helps the community come together at a time of great tragedy. Surely they can find a space for a paper which does so much for the community and has been at the heart of this tragedy as it unfolded."

Some 800 people, including politicians, dignitaries and emergency service staff and volunteers who helped in the wake of the tragedy, are thought to be attending the invite-only ceremony in Lancing College's chapel, which overlooks the scene of the crash.

Some families have chosen not to attend at all, The Argus understands.

The victims of the Shoreham Airshow disaster

Mr Loughton, the MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, previously said he hoped the service would "comfort to the grieving families and help the whole community to heal".

Neither he nor the council could explain why the requests from relatives had been ignored.

A council spokeswoman said: "The press have not been excluded from the memorial service. Following discussions with the families, the service will be covered by a reporter from the Press Association whose words can be used by all newspapers, local and national.

"In line with the wishes of the families there will be no photos taken at the service and any attempt to breach families’ privacy will be viewed very seriously indeed.”

West Sussex County Council’s head of communications Kirsty Buchanan

AUTHORITY SELECTIVE ON WHO ATTENDS SERVICE

West Sussex County Council’s press office is responsible for organising media coverage of the memorial service.

After enquiries from The Argus it announced details of the ceremony in a press release, quoting managing editor of BBC Sussex Sara David, who said it was “really important BBC Sussex plays its role in remembering those who were lost”.

When The Argus enquired it was told no decisions had yet been made on media coverage but was asked to explain to the council why it should be allowed.

A representation was made but a day later Kirsty Buchanan, the council’s head of communications, told The Argus a decision was made to allow only the BBC and the Press Association to attend.

She said: “We need to balance the needs of the media against the wishes of the families and other invited guests at the event and felt a pool would be the fairest way to achieve that.”

She said this was because the service was likely to “attract national media interest” and would best meet the “needs of print and broadcasters”.

She added: “I understand you will find this decision frustrating but hope you will understand the reasons behind it.”

After relatives contacted the council asking The Argus to be allowed to attend, Ms Buchanan said while they were aware of the requests the decision would not change.

The Argus asked for an official comment from the council on the decision and Ms Buchanan refused to respond when The Argus repeatedly asked why express wishes from some relatives had been ignored.  Neither would she clarify why the council’s official statement suggested media organisations would seek to breach peoples’ privacy.

Tim Loughton MP

TIMELINE

The Argus contacted Tim Loughton to raise why The Argus could not attend the memorial service.

Monday, November 9, 3.50pm: Messages left on mobile answerphone and with staff at London parliamentary office.

Tuesday, November 10, 4.47pm: Messages left on mobile answerphone and with staff at London parliamentary office who said yesterday’s message had been passed on.

4.50pm: The Argus emailed Mr Loughton to tell him we wanted to speak to him regarding the memorial service. 

Wednesday, November 11, 3.23pm: Messages left on mobile answerphone and again with staff at London parliamentary office.

Thursday, November 12: No reply.

Friday, November 13, 3.55pm: Messages left on mobile answerphone and with staff at London parliamentary office.

3.58pm: The Argus emailed Mr Loughton for a second time, asking if he had received our messages and email.

4.07pm: Email from Mr Loughton which read: “All media enquiries for the memorial service are being handled by the county council press office as you are well aware.”

4.41pm: The Argus replied: “Families of some of the victims of the disaster have contacted West Sussex County Council asking why local newspapers, and particularly The Argus, are not allowed to attend and report on the proceedings of the memorial service. They specifically ask we attend so readers – many of whom were friends of the victims – can also share in the service by reading an account of this important tribute. Their request has not been honoured and the council has refused to respond explaining why this decision has been made. This comes after it said the decision not to allow local newspapers to attend was made with the family’s best wishes in mind.”

4.52pm: Email from Mr Loughton “The decision was made by the working group I chair and with the agreement of family members.”

5.53pm: Email from The Argus “Families have contacted us to directly to ask if we are covering the service. We have explained we have been denied permission.”

Saturday, November 14, 3.18pm: Email from Mr Loughton “All the family members who are attending the service are aware this is the case (the decision taken by working group) and have agreed it. None has complained. It is therefore disingenuous of you to suggest you somehow know better what is in their best interests. I am afraid your ‘concern’ is unconvincing. I should tell you that the organisers, emergency services and volunteers who have put so much into this memorial service, let alone the families of the victims who have made their feelings very clear, would be extremely unhappy if you do not show the appropriate respect for this event which is being taken for granted of everyone else.”

Monday, November 16, 12.22pm: Argus editor Mike Gilson responds by email: “We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking to report a profoundly symbolic moment in a tragic story that affected many, many people in our community and specifically in our city.”