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Telegraph and Mail publish pictures of Vicky Pryce in jail Telegraph and Mail publish pictures of Vicky Pryce in jail
(6 months later)
The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail have published pictures on their websites on Wednesday of Vicky Pryce in jail. The Telegraph carries one close-up shot of Pryce, head bowed, at East Sutton Park prison, while the Mail has run four pictures of her.The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail have published pictures on their websites on Wednesday of Vicky Pryce in jail. The Telegraph carries one close-up shot of Pryce, head bowed, at East Sutton Park prison, while the Mail has run four pictures of her.
The photographs and accompanying stories were posted just a little in advance of a letter circulated to editors by the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) which informed them that Pryce's daughters are concerned about the presence of photographers at the prison.The photographs and accompanying stories were posted just a little in advance of a letter circulated to editors by the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) which informed them that Pryce's daughters are concerned about the presence of photographers at the prison.
The daughters, Alexandra and Georgia Pryce, believe that the photographers may be in breach of the clause in the editors' code of practice, which states that "journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit."The daughters, Alexandra and Georgia Pryce, believe that the photographers may be in breach of the clause in the editors' code of practice, which states that "journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit."
The PCC does not comment on its pre-publication advice notifications to editors, and its letters remain confidential.The PCC does not comment on its pre-publication advice notifications to editors, and its letters remain confidential.
As I indicated on Monday, when I revealed that paparazzi were hanging about at the open prison, it is unclear whether such photographs would be held to be in breach of the code.As I indicated on Monday, when I revealed that paparazzi were hanging about at the open prison, it is unclear whether such photographs would be held to be in breach of the code.
If Pryce, or members of her family, were to make a formal complaint, it is hard to gauge the PCC's decision. There is no obvious public interest justification. On the other hand, it is not certain whether it amounts to harassment.If Pryce, or members of her family, were to make a formal complaint, it is hard to gauge the PCC's decision. There is no obvious public interest justification. On the other hand, it is not certain whether it amounts to harassment.
It certainly heaps an extra bit of humiliation on to the woman who is serving an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice. Is that what papers are for? To humiliate people who are already suffering from humiliation?It certainly heaps an extra bit of humiliation on to the woman who is serving an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice. Is that what papers are for? To humiliate people who are already suffering from humiliation?
There could be an underlying message in running such pictures, implying that open prison is not a "real jail" and therefore an easy option. But that's 19th century thinking (and there is plenty of it in nasty comments under the story on the Mail site).There could be an underlying message in running such pictures, implying that open prison is not a "real jail" and therefore an easy option. But that's 19th century thinking (and there is plenty of it in nasty comments under the story on the Mail site).
In fairness, the Mail does have the grace to quote a former inmate who said the regime was anything but soft. "This is not a cushy number," she is quoted as saying.In fairness, the Mail does have the grace to quote a former inmate who said the regime was anything but soft. "This is not a cushy number," she is quoted as saying.
So why do it? Why pay the freelance and agency - identified as "Jules/FameFlynet.uk.com - for such intrusive pictures? Though I concede that it probably comes down to a matter of taste, I find it upsetting (and I ought to add I don't know this woman, don't agree with what she did and believe it was right that she was sent to jail).So why do it? Why pay the freelance and agency - identified as "Jules/FameFlynet.uk.com - for such intrusive pictures? Though I concede that it probably comes down to a matter of taste, I find it upsetting (and I ought to add I don't know this woman, don't agree with what she did and believe it was right that she was sent to jail).
But I do think the editors were wrong to publish them. Even if one supports the right of papers to be free within the ambit of the law – and there is no suggestion of illegality – it's one of those examples of newspapers' "casual cruelty".But I do think the editors were wrong to publish them. Even if one supports the right of papers to be free within the ambit of the law – and there is no suggestion of illegality – it's one of those examples of newspapers' "casual cruelty".
I really wish, especially in this sensitive period of post-Leveson drama, they had not done it.I really wish, especially in this sensitive period of post-Leveson drama, they had not done it.
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