Discriminatory media reporting oversight
Lack of adequate powers for a regulatory body to intervene in cases of allegedly discriminatory reporting by the press.
Source spread
Where this theme appears
This theme appears across 10 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.
27 inquiry recs
67 committee recs
2 IMB recs
3 DHR recs
7 PHSO decisions
53 LGO/SPSO decisions
1 CJINI report
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry recommendations(27)
L38 — Discriminatory Reporting Powers
Recommendation: In conjunction with Recommendation 11 above, consideration should also be given to Code amendments which, while fully protecting freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, would equip that body with the power to intervene in cases of allegedly …
Gov response: In volume IV of the report, Lord Justice Leveson sets out proposals for independent self-regulation organised by the media. He details the key “requirements” that an independent self-regulatory body should meet, including independence of appointments …
Accepted in part
L40 — Public Advice and Warning Service
Recommendation: A new regulatory body should continue to provide advice to the public in relation to issues concerning the press and the Code along with a service to warn the press, and other relevant parties such as broadcasters and press photographers, …
Gov response: In volume IV of the report, Lord Justice Leveson sets out proposals for independent self-regulation organised by the media. He details the key “requirements” that an independent self-regulatory body should meet, including independence of appointments …
Accepted in part
L74 — Qualified One Way Costs Shifting
Recommendation: In the absence of the provision of an approved mechanism for dispute resolution, available through an independent regulator without cost to the complainant, together with an adjustment to the Civil Procedure Rules to require or permit the court take account …
Gov response: Mr Speaker, we have decided not to commence Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 and to seek repeal at the earliest opportunity.
Not accepted
L73 — Civil Procedure Rules on Costs
Recommendation: The Civil Procedure Rules should be amended to require the court, when considering the appropriate order for costs at the conclusion of proceedings, to take into account the availability of an arbitral system set up by an independent regulator itself …
Gov response: Mr Speaker, we have decided not to commence Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 and to seek repeal at the earliest opportunity.
Not accepted
L72 — Exemplary Damages for Media Torts
Recommendation: Exemplary damages (whether so described or renamed as punitive damages) should be available for actions for breach of privacy, breach of confidence and similar media torts, as well as for libel and slander. The application to a defendant of any …
Gov response: Two important but relatively small legislative changes need to be made. Let me explain what they are. First, Lord Justice Leveson said—the Government agreed at the time—that, in order to create an incentive for newspapers …
Accepted
L71 — Aggravated and Exemplary Damages
Recommendation: The Report of the Law Commission on Aggravated, Exemplary and Restitutionary Damages should be adopted in relation to its recommendations that legislation should provide that: (a) aggravated damages should only be awarded to compensate for mental distress and should have …
No response yet
L70 — Civil Justice Council Damages Review
Recommendation: The Civil Justice Council should consider the level of damages in privacy, breach of confidence and data protection cases, being prepared to take evidence (from the Information Commissioner, the media and others) and thereafter to make recommendations on the appropriate …
No response yet
L69 — Review of Damages for Media Torts
Recommendation: There should be a review of damages generally available for breach of data protection, privacy, breach of confidence or any other media-related torts, to ensure proportionate compensation including for non-pecuniary loss (all referable to the duration, extent and gravity of …
No response yet
L68 — PACE Amendments Consideration
Recommendation: The Home Office should consider and, if necessary, consult upon: (a) whether paragraph 2(b) of Schedule 1 to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) should be repealed; (b) whether PACE should be amended to provide a definition of …
Gov response: The Home Office accept this recommendation we will consult on the proposed changes to PACE before the end of this year (2013). The consultation exercise will specifically consider the potential impact of the recommended change …
Accepted
L67 — Sentencing Guidelines for Data Offences
Recommendation: On the basis that the provisions of s77-78 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 are brought into effect, so that increased sentencing powers are available for breaches of s55 of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Secretary of …
No response yet
L66 — ICO Organisation Review
Recommendation: The Information Commissioner's Office should take the opportunity to review its organisation and decision-making processes to ensure that large-scale issues, with both strategic and operational dimensions (including the relationship between the culture, practices and ethics of the press in relation …
Gov response: As explained above the management structure and controls that we now have in place are very different from those that existed at the time of the events Lord Justice Leveson looked at in the greatest …
Accepted
L65 — ICO Specialist Knowledge Review
Recommendation: The Information Commissioner's Office should take the opportunity to review the availability to it of specialist legal and practical knowledge of the application of the data protection regime to the press, and to any extent necessary address it.
Gov response: We have undertaken this review and recognise the need to have more specialist knowledge of the workings of the press and the application of the data protection regime to them.
Accepted
L64 — ICO Engage with Metropolitan Police
Recommendation: The Information Commissioner's Office should take immediate steps to engage with the Metropolitan Police on the preparation of a long-term strategy in relation to alleged media crime with a view to ensuring that the Office is well placed to fulfil …
Gov response: The ICO fully accepts this recommendation. Section 10 of the ACPO Manual of Guidance (MoG) sets out the policy and procedure for investigations in relation to cases not involving the police. However, it does not …
Accepted
L63 — ICO Adopt DPP Guidelines
Recommendation: The Information Commissioner's Office should immediately adopt the Guidelines for Prosecutors on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions in September 2012.
Gov response: As noted above, the ICO had, by the time Lord Justice Leveson’s Report was published, already endorsed and adopted the CPS Guidelines for Prosecutors on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media, issued …
Accepted
L62 — ICO Annual Report on Press
Recommendation: The Information Commissioner's Office, in the Annual Report to Parliament which it is required to make by virtue of section 52(1) of the Act, should include regular updates on the effectiveness of the foregoing measures, and on the culture, practices …
Gov response: The ICO fully accepts the spirit of this recommendation. We will provide regular updates to Parliament on the effectiveness of the measures we are adopting in response to Lord Justice Leveson’s recommendations and more generally …
Accepted
L61 — ICO Advice for Data Subjects
Recommendation: In particular, the Information Commissioner's Office should take immediate steps to publish advice aimed at individuals (data subjects) concerned that their data have or may have been processed by the press unlawfully or otherwise than in accordance with good practice.
Gov response: We understand the importance of ensuring that individuals are fully aware of their rights should they be concerned that their data has been or may have been processed by the press or other media organisations …
Accepted
L60 — ICO Public Guidance
Recommendation: The Information Commissioner's Office should take steps to prepare and issue guidance to the public on their individual rights in relation to the obtaining and use by the press of their personal data, and how to exercise those rights.
Gov response: We recognise the importance of developing this guidance, which we will develop and publish in conjunction with the proposed Code of Practice mentioned above. We will also aim to have this guidance ready by the …
Accepted
L59 — ICO Good Practice Guidelines
Recommendation: In discharge of its functions and duties to promote good practice in areas of public concern, the Information Commissioner's Office should take immediate steps, in consultation with the industry, to prepare and issue comprehensive good practice guidelines and advice on …
Gov response: We recognise the need for the ICO to prepare this guidance, based on the DPA as it currently stands. We also recognise the importance of consultation with the press and broadcasting industry.
Accepted
L58 — ICO Policy on Press Regulation
Recommendation: The Information Commissioner's Office should take immediate steps to prepare, adopt and publish a policy on the exercise of its formal regulatory functions in order to ensure that the press complies with the legal requirements of the data protection regime.
Gov response: The ICO accepts this recommendation. We are now in the process of revising our Data Protection Regulatory Action Policy so that it specifically addresses how we will use our regulatory powers to ensure that the …
Accepted
L56 — ICO Consult with CPS
Recommendation: A new duty should be introduced (whether formal or informal) for the Information Commissioner's Office to consult with the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to the exercise of its powers to undertake criminal proceedings.
No response yet
L55 — ICO Prosecution Powers Extension
Recommendation: The prosecution powers of the Information Commissioner should be extended to include any offence which also constitutes a breach of the data protection principles.
No response yet
L54 — Bring into Force Section 55 Penalties
Recommendation: The necessary steps should be taken to bring into force the amendments made to section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998 by section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (increase of sentence maxima) to the extent …
Gov response: I think we need to look at this very carefully. Lord Justice Leveson is incredibly tough about what he sees as the failures to act on the Information Commissioner’s report. We need to look very …
Noted
L53 — ICO Regard for Regulatory Membership
Recommendation: Specific provision should be made to the effect that, in considering the exercise of any of its powers in relation to the media or other publishers, the Information Commissioner's Office must have regard to the application to a data controller …
No response yet
L52 — ICO Balance of Public Interest
Recommendation: In conjunction with the repeal of those procedural provisions, consideration should be given to the desirability of including in the Data Protection Act 1998 a provision to the effect that, in considering the exercise of any powers in relation to …
No response yet
L51 — Repeal Procedural Provisions
Recommendation: The procedural provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 with special application to journalism in: (a) section 32(4) and (5) (b) sections 44 to 46 inclusive should be repealed.
Gov response: In support of this, Lord Justice Leveson makes some important proposals. First, he proposes some changes to the Data Protection Act that would reduce the special treatment that journalists are afforded when dealing with personal …
Noted
L17 — No Prior Restraint Power
Recommendation: The Board should not have the power to prevent publication of any material, by anyone, at any time although (in its discretion) it should be able to offer a service of advice to editors of subscribing publications relating to code …
Gov response: In volume IV of the report, Lord Justice Leveson sets out proposals for independent self-regulation organised by the media. He details the key “requirements” that an independent self-regulatory body should meet, including independence of appointments …
Accepted in part
L16 — Apology Placement Power
Recommendation: The power to direct the nature, extent and placement of apologies should lie with the Board.
Gov response: In volume IV of the report, Lord Justice Leveson sets out proposals for independent self-regulation organised by the media. He details the key “requirements” that an independent self-regulatory body should meet, including independence of appointments …
Accepted in part
Select committee recommendations(67)— showing 50 strongest matches
#1 —
Recommendation: There are powerful economic, democratic and foreign policy arguments for supporting the future of honest, accurate and informative news. Although the value of news is clear, its prospects are not. The Government’s task is to establish the conditions that enable …
Response attribution not verified
#12 — Mandate Editors’ Code of Practice Committee to include age in clause 12.
Recommendation: The justification of the omission of age from clause 12, set out in the Editors’ Codebook, that journalists must be free to comment on public figures who are “past their prime” is itself overtly ageist. We recommend the Editors’ Code …
Response attribution not verified
#3 — Editor's Code of Practice inadequately protects older people from age discrimination.
Recommendation: The Editor’s Code of Practice must balance the rights of individuals to protection from discrimination with freedom of expression in the press. The complete omission of age from clause 12 on discrimination gets this balance wrong, leaving older people unprotected …
Response attribution not verified
#1 — Require Ofcom and ASA to introduce specific rules against ageist stereotyping in media.
Recommendation: There is clear evidence that ageist stereotyping, including portrayals of older people as frail, helpless or incompetent, or conversely as wealth- hoarding “boomers”, is highly prevalent across all media in the UK and that this is a significant contributory factor …
Response attribution not verified
#29 — High anti-Muslim abuse in schools shows unmet need for education and inclusive environments.
Recommendation: Schools have a vital role in tackling anti-Muslim abuse. First, through education on Muslim culture and heritage and the positive role Muslim communities have played in shaping the multicultural Britain that exists today, and providing challenge to distorted narratives of …
Response attribution not verified
#23 — Publish new hate crime action plan focused on tackling intersectional abuse of Muslim women.
Recommendation: The Government should publish a new hate crime action plan with a dedicated focus on tackling the intersectional abuse of Muslim women. This plan should include mechanisms on how to increase reporting and guidance on how public services should respond …
Response attribution not verified
#12 — Muslim women encounter significant barriers and discrimination in employment and career progression.
Recommendation: Muslim women face barriers in accessing employment, recruitment and career progression and face microaggressions and discrimination in the workplace. While it would be wrong to suggest that discrimination is the sole explanation, its prevalence needs to be addressed. (Conclusion, Paragraph …
Response attribution not verified
#4 — Encourage media organisations to include diverse Muslim women's voices and ensure off-screen diversity.
Recommendation: Media organisations should seek to include more Muslim women’s voices to provide diverse perspectives and to challenge the pervasive and harmful stereotypes that are damaging British values of tolerance and respect of those with different faiths and beliefs. Diversity off …
Response attribution not verified
#3 — Challenge inaccurate media representations and false online narratives of Muslim women robustly.
Recommendation: There needs to be a cultural shift in how Muslim women are portrayed in the media and online. Inaccurate representations and false media narratives should be challenged robustly, including by press regulators and Ofcom. (Conclusion, Paragraph 37)
Response attribution not verified
#2 — Media stereotyping of Muslim women normalises discrimination and impedes their societal participation.
Recommendation: The role of the media and public figures should not be understated. Persistent stereotyping of Muslim women as oppressed, a symbol of extremism or just fundamentally ‘different’, has a normalising effect, increasing the risk of discrimination, harassment and abuse. It …
Response attribution not verified
#1 — Muslim women experience increasing, gendered, and intersectional abuse and discrimination in the UK.
Recommendation: Muslims in the UK face increasing levels of online, verbal, and physical abuse and discrimination. Muslim women are disproportionately likely to face such abuse and experience it in ways that are specifically gendered and often linked to their race and/or …
Response attribution not verified
#32 — Set out proposals to strengthen mental health system accountability, including Race Equality Framework implementation.
Recommendation: The sector has called for a Mental Health Commissioner to address concerns about a lack of accountability across the mental health system. The Government has said it does not want to take this approach. We ask it to set out …
Response attribution not verified
#4 — Stigma and discrimination undermine equitable and culturally appropriate mental health services
Recommendation: Experiences of stigma, discrimination, and lack of culturally appropriate or personalised support were frequently reported, particularly by racialised communities, neurodivergent individuals, and those with disabilities. 74 Where care was described as high-quality, it was inclusive, responsive, and tailored to individual …
Response attribution not verified
#16 —
Recommendation: We are concerned that tech platforms have been imposing age restrictions on news that is Ofcom-compliant. We are also concerned at reports of ‘shadow bans’ and the blocking of other legitimate content.
Response attribution not verified
#10 —
Recommendation: Fundraising is extremely important to many international aid organisations, but public appeals that depict the communities they serve as helpless and needy strip those communities of their dignity. They contribute to the narrative that the countries where they work are …
Response attribution not verified
#6 — Press Israeli counterparts to restore journalist access and lift media bans in Gaza.
Recommendation: The Committee condemns the killing of over 186 Palestinian journalists in Gaza and reiterates that Israel has a responsibility not to target journalists, who are protected under international law. While Israel has suggested that many of these may have been …
Response attribution not verified
#5 — Israeli Government's refusal of media access to Gaza breaches international norms.
Recommendation: The Israeli Government’s refusal to allow media access to Gaza to report on the war is a breach of internationally recognised norms. Journalists’ work will be crucial as an informational basis for any long-term findings regarding the legality of the …
Response attribution not verified
#33 —
Recommendation: Ofcom should conduct more thorough longitudinal audience research with consistent metrics and more granular audience profiles, focusing both on the drivers of trust and confidence in due impartiality being upheld. This could include more detailed assessments of audience views about …
Response attribution not verified
#30 —
Recommendation: The UK’s broadcasting market will only thrive if there is healthy competition, a focus on serving all audiences and respect for the rules. New entrants like GB News provide an alternative to the public service broadcasters. Their offering needs to …
Response attribution not verified
#23 —
Recommendation: We recommend the Government works with Ofcom to set out plans and timelines for capturing online news intermediaries within the scope of the media ownership rules .
Response attribution not verified
#23 —
Recommendation: In response to this Report, the Government should set out its assessment of the merits of granting Ofcom further legislative powers and resources to more effectively regulate misleading information online regarding the energy transition, especially on the “credibility laundering” of …
#22 —
Recommendation: While we recognise that the current remit of Ofcom may not allow it to intervene in matters of climate misinformation raised during this inquiry, we are concerned that exposure to misinformation online and broadcast narratives can erode overall confidence if …
#2 —
Recommendation: The rise of online abuse and harassment of female parliamentary candidates and MPs, including rape and death threats, is intolerable. It is unacceptable that such behaviour has become commonplace and contributed to female MPs standing down at the last general …
Response status not verified
#19 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government accepts the Law Commission’s proposals to extend the characteristics to which aggravated hate crime offences can apply, and to reform the motivation test for hate crimes to include prejudice as well as hostility; and that …
Response attribution not verified
#14 — Concerns regarding disjointed platform approaches and weakened content moderation policies.
Recommendation: We are concerned by disjointed approaches from platforms to false and harmful content; in particular by recent moves from X and Meta to water down their Terms of Service and approach to content moderation. While there are merits to crowd-sourcing …
Response attribution not verified
#15 —
Recommendation: We encourage tech platforms to give more prominence to recognised news publishers (as defined in the Online Safety Act 2023 ), for example through better visual cues or adjusting prominence on user feeds. This should be an industry-led initiative: we …
Response attribution not verified
#12 —
Recommendation: We were pleased to hear from companies who are committed to advertising their products by using real, honest images. However, a significant number of advertisers continue to rely heavily on image editing. It is clear that the constant bombardment of …
Response attribution not verified
#8 —
Recommendation: Weighing children in primary schools under the National Child Measurement Programme is likely to cause harm to children’s mental health and could hinder the development of a positive body image. This is particularly damaging for Black children who are more …
Response attribution not verified
#5 —
Recommendation: The current Obesity Strategy is at best ineffective and at worst perpetuating unhealthy behaviours. It is likely to be dangerous for those with negative body image, including those at risk of developing eating disorders. In the short term, we have …
Response attribution not verified
#4 —
Recommendation: We are hugely saddened to hear of the number of people who have faced appearance and weight-based discrimination when accessing NHS services. There is no way to quantify the damage this has done to individuals’ mental and physical health. We …
Response attribution not verified
#1 —
Recommendation: People face appearance-based discrimination on a daily basis, at work, in schools and in public spaces. Whilst we were disappointed not to hear from the Government Equalities Office on their assessment of appearance-based discrimination, we are pleased that the Government …
Response attribution not verified
#3 —
Recommendation: We urge the Government to respond positively to the recommendations in the Report of the Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill, including those in paragraphs 127 and 136 relating to the Law Commission’s proposals for communications that contain …
Response status not verified
#5 —
Recommendation: There is no evidence of the perpetrators of hate crime being drawn disproportionately from one community over another; rather, hate crime is a problem that manifests across both traditional communities and is the responsibility of all to tackle. It is, …
Response status not verified
#5 —
Recommendation: We recognise that consolidation within the local news industry has ensured the survival of titles that otherwise would have closed. But we are concerned that some of the approaches of the largest publishers appear to be compromising the quality the …
Response attribution not verified
#1 —
Recommendation: The causes of the appalling disparity in maternal deaths are multiple, complex and still not fully understood. Fixating on any one cause risks over-simplifying the problem and placing blame on the very women who are most at risk. Too many …
Response attribution not verified
#33 —
Recommendation: The Government must recognise that accurate, impartial news is essential to the UK’s national security and overseas interests and should be treated by Government as a strategic national asset in an era of information warfare. At a time when the …
Response attribution not verified
#32 —
Recommendation: The BBC World Service plays a critical role in providing life-saving information and updates during conflict and crisis, whilst leading the global fight against disinformation and promoting democratic values. Much of the evidence received by the Committee highlights the essential …
Response attribution not verified
#31 —
Recommendation: To show its continued commitment to media freedoms, the Government should again provide to the Committee six-monthly updates, including an assessment of threats to media freedom and the UK’s response to foreign information manipulation and interference in priority regions. (Recommendation, …
Response attribution not verified
#18 —
Recommendation: We support the proposals in the Law Commission’s hate crime review to extend aggravated hate crime offences across all characteristics protected under existing hate crime legislation, and to reform the ‘hostility’ motivation test to better reflect the nature of some …
Response attribution not verified
#18 — Refrain from using the term 'sex work' to recognise sexual exploitation's severity.
Recommendation: To ensure that the severity of sexual exploitation is recognised, the Home Office and law enforcement should refrain from using the term ‘sex work’.
Response attribution not verified
#9 — Require the investigation to prioritise racial disparities and consider impact of funding cuts.
Recommendation: We recommend that addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes is one of the investigation’s core aims, and that this features prominently in the terms of reference for the second stage. We recommend that the investigation aligns with the priorities outlined …
Response attribution not verified
#8 — National investigation into maternity care presents a turning point for equitable services.
Recommendation: We hope that the national investigation will serve as a turning point for the country’s maternity services, and particularly the experience of Black women, by laying the foundation for a more transparent, accountable, and equitable maternity system. We will monitor …
Response attribution not verified
#7 — Progress on improving Black maternal health remains too slow despite multiple initiatives.
Recommendation: While there have been multiple initiatives aimed at improving Black maternal health, progress remains too slow. We welcome the announcement of a rapid national investigation into maternity and neonatal care and the Secretary of State’s commitment to inequality being an …
Response attribution not verified
#11 —
Recommendation: Whilst the Committee was pleased to see that TfL has taken steps to protect Londoners from advertisements that could promote body dissatisfaction and bolster diverse advertising on their network, we were disappointed it had not been fully evaluated to properly …
Response attribution not verified
#10 —
Recommendation: We commend the Government for launching a consultation on online advertising in the Spring and are encouraged that the ASA will be consulting on body image as well as racial stereotyping in 2021. We recommend that the Government works closely …
Response attribution not verified
#9 —
Recommendation: The Committee is disappointed about the lack of diversity in adverts both on and offline. We urgently want to see more companies advertising with real images of people from a diverse range of ethnicities, abilities, sexualities, genders, body shapes and …
Response attribution not verified
#3 —
Recommendation: Throughout our inquiry, we heard the perception that politics is often done “to” rather than “with” communities, and how the absence of representation of minority ethnic identities in political and public life has likely contributed to the lack of focus …
Response status not verified
#7 —
Recommendation: The news media are vital stakeholders for major events, amplifying them at home and abroad and delivering greater value for money. Moreover, beyond this purely instrumentalist role, there is an intrinsic value to free and reliable reporting of major events. …
Response attribution not verified
#14 —
Recommendation: Performance varied widely across services. Language services that became digital-only in 2022–23 saw overall audiences fall by 63% and their digital audiences by 39%, while services that closed either radio or TV but retained the other declined by less. Within …
Response attribution not verified
#15 — Publish responses to commissioned reports on freedom of speech and community safety.
Recommendation: The Government has commissioned reports to increase the evidence base in the complex areas of law where the right to freedom of speech intersects with the need for all communities to feel safe as they go about their daily lives. …
Response attribution not verified
IMB individual recommendations(2)
Dovegate (2025)
Public perception of prisoners and prisons negatively impacts on prisoners ability to achieve acceptance back into civilian life upon release. This appears to be driven by the mass media: how does the Minister plan to showcase the positive results of prisoner outcomes to the general public?
Ministry of Justice
In Progress
London STHF (2023)
We hope that BF has permanently addressed the situation where officers caused distress to detained people when conversing with each other in a language other than English, unknown to the detained person. The IMB identified two instances of this happening.
Other
Independent reviews(5)
Jones: Patronising Disposition Review — Rec 7
Bereaved families told me that they felt degraded by much of the press coverage of the Hillsborough disaster, as well as harassed by individual journalists and press photographers. Both of these aspects of the media's behaviour undoubtedly caused great distress. Both the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) and the Independent …
Policing & Security
Kerslake Review — Rec 47
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) should review the operation of its code in the light of the experiences described by contributors to the Review and consider developing a new code specifically to cover such events
Policing & Security
Accepted
Keogh Cosmetic Interventions Review — Rec 31
The Review Committee considers that the following advertising practices are socially irresponsible and should be prohibited by the professional registers' codes of practice: o Time-limited deals o Financial inducements o Package deals, such as 'buy one get one free' or reduced prices for two people such mother and daughter deals, …
Health & Social Care
Keogh Cosmetic Interventions Review — Rec 30
CAP should extend its guidance note on cosmetic surgery advertising to cover non-surgical cosmetic procedures, and the sponsoring of TV and other programmes
Health & Social Care
Keogh Cosmetic Interventions Review — Rec 29
The RCS Interspecialty Committee should develop a code of ethical practice developed for all practitioners of cosmetic interventions, and this should include standards to ensure that any advertising is conducted in a socially responsible manner
Health & Social Care
PHSO casework decisions(7)
P-001157 — A medical practice in the Westminster area
Ms H complained that practice reception staff discriminated against her as a transgender female by repeatedly misgendering her, despite her requests, causing extreme distress.
NHS in England
Upheld
Oct 2021
P-004617 — North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
A trust failed to provide adequate pain relief and physical examinations during his wife's birth, and a midwife made racial comments, causing emotional distress.
NHS in England
Not Upheld
Jan 2026
P-002057 — United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Ms A alleged the Trust dismissed and misdiagnosed her medical symptoms across three years due to previous mental health issues, potentially missing conditions and causing distress.
NHS in England
Jun 2023
P-003892 — Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Mr F complained the Trust discriminated against him by moving him last on a surgery list due to his HIV status, causing humiliation and anxiety.
NHS in England
Upheld
Jul 2023
P-004718 — Tower Hamlets GP Care Group CIC
Mrs K complained her trans-daughter was wrongly turned away from A&E, mis-recorded, and faced insensitive comments, leading to a 36-hour delay in diagnosing Burkitt's Lymphoma and her death.
NHS in England
Jan 2026
P-001993 — A practice in the Tower Hamlets area
Miss I complained a GP made rude, personal comments about her weight and questioned her child's ethnicity during a post-natal check-up, causing mental distress.
NHS in England
May 2023
P-002338 — UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
Mr I complained UKVI unfairly and unreasonably refused his partner's visitor visa twice, despite encouragement for a second application, causing him upset, depression, and anxiety.
UK Government
Dec 2023
LGO / SPSO decisions(53)
22-008-265 — City of Doncaster Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has demonstrated discriminatory and transphobic behaviour. This is because we would not achieve anything significant by doing so.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Oct 2022
24-004-179 — East Hertfordshire District Council
Summary: Mx X complained about transphobia, misgendering and harassment by the Council’s civil enforcement officers (CEOs), and further misgendering when they appealed a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). We found no fault with the way in which the Council investigated the actions of its CEOs. We found that Mx X was …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Upheld
Nov 2024
20-011-920 — London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Summary: Mr D complains the Council’s policy on land charges searches discriminates against disabled people. There was fault in complaint handling for which the Council should apologise. I have found no evidence of fault in the other parts of Mr D’s complaint.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Upheld
Jan 2022
24-001-122 — Coventry City Council
Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision not to remove a flag displayed at a community centre which he says is discriminatory, and which he said caused him distress. We find the Council at fault for not considering relevant guidance as part of its decision. The Council has agreed …
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Upheld
Aug 2024
25-003-433 — Wiltshire Council
Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to act on repeated reports of anti-social behaviour. We have found no evidence of fault in the Council’s actions.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Not Upheld
Jan 2026
PSOW-202208538 — Brackla Community Council
The Ombudsman’s office received a complaint that a Member (“the Member”) of Brackla Community Council (“the Community Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct. It was alleged that the Member had maliciously and deliberately tried to discredit another member (“the Complainant”), during a Community Council meeting that was attended by …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Jan 2025
21-018-598 — London Borough of Hackney
The complainant, whom I shall refer to as Mrs X, complained a councillor had breached the Elected Member Code of Conduct. Mrs X said the councillor had posted an unacceptable image on social media.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Apr 2022
21-003-975 — Birmingham City Council
Summary: Miss X complained the Council took no action on anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance from a neighbour, despite officers witnessing the issues. Miss X said the Council discriminated against her and gave preferential treatment to her neighbour. We have not found fault in the Council’s investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Not Upheld
Jul 2022
22-002-510 — London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
Summary: Mrs F complained the Council has failed to deal with, and respond to, her complaints of anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance issues from her neighbours. We find fault with how the Council handled Mrs F’s complaints and it failed to respond to her request to activate the community trigger …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Upheld
Nov 2022
24-004-119 — Thanet District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about racial discrimination and bullying. Some concerns raised by the complainant are raised too late and we have seen no reason why he could not have contacted us much sooner. Also, we will not investigate the complaint about the Council’s decision not to …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Jul 2024
23-009-398 — London Borough of Redbridge
Summary: Mrs B complained about the Council’s failure to act on noise nuisance and antisocial behaviour from her neighbour and complains the Council treated her differently to her neighbour and failed to consider her complaint properly. The Council did not follow its noise procedure on the first complaint from Mrs …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Upheld
Aug 2024
23-013-816 — Bristol City Council
Summary: There was no fault in how the Care Provider or the Council handled matters, when Miss B complained about the arrangements for her care, and that a carer had been racist, or when the Care Provider gave Miss B notice that it would stop providing her care.
LGO (Local Government & …
Adult Care Services
Not Upheld
Aug 2024
23-019-849 — Transport for London
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about potential discrimination by Transport for London for allegedly prioritising digital payment methods which the complainant says are not accessible to all service users. This is because the evidence suggests that problems the complainant has experienced using alternative methods are irregular in frequency …
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Aug 2024
24-022-367 — City of York Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council racially discriminated against Mrs X. We cannot determine whether the Council has breached the Equality Act 2010 or determine whether the Council is liable for her financial losses. These are matters for the courts.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Jun 2025
24-022-297 — Wakefield City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to investigate a complaint about racist and derogatory comments published on its website for a planning application. Further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Planning
Jun 2025
25-004-945 — London Borough of Southwark
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an allegation of racial discrimination while Mr Y was at a leisure facility. This is because the Council have already investigated and responded and further investigation by us would not lead to a different outcome. Nor can we achieve the outcome Mr …
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Jun 2025
25-000-432 — Bristol City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to take formal action against her landlord for harassment. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify our involvement.
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Nov 2025
PSOW-202002418 — Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint that a Former Member of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (“the Council”) and Llantwit Fardre Community Council (“the Community Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct for Members (“the Code”) in using the term “Pikies” during a community WhatsApp group discussion. The Ombudsman investigated …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Jul 2021
PSOW-202002984 — Llantwit Fardre Community Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint that a Former Member of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (“the Council”) and Llantwit Fardre Community Council (“the Community Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct for Members (“the Code”) in using the term “Pikies” during a community WhatsApp group discussion. The Ombudsman investigated …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Jul 2021
PSOW-201906362 — Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint that a Member (“the Member”) of Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council (“the Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct. It was alleged that the Member had shown a disregard for the principle of equality, by making comments about another member’s hearing impairment and deliberately making …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Aug 2021
PSOW-202000622 — Sully and Lavernock Community Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint from an employee of Sully and Lavernock Community Council (“the Council”) that a Member (“the Member”) of the Council had failed to observe the Code of Conduct for Members. It was alleged that, during an incident on a Council playing field concerning Council equipment, the …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Jul 2021
PSOW-202106365 — Ceredigion County Council
The Ombudsman received a self-referred complaint from a Member (“the Former Member”) of Ceredigion County Council (“the Council”), that they had breached the Council’s Code of Conduct for members. The Member said that during a discussion at a public Council meeting about Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (“WAST”) provision in …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Aug 2022
PSOW-202204616 — Bridgend County Borough Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint that a Member (“the Member”) of Bridgend Town Council (“the Council”) posted comments on social media that alleged impropriety on the part of members of the Council. The Ombudsman’s investigation considered whether the Member’s conduct may have breached paragraph 6(1)(a) of the Code of Conduct. …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Aug 2023
PSOW-202201568 — Monmouthshire County Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint that a member (“the Member”) of Monmouthshire County Council (“the Council”) may have breached the Code of Conduct by the comments the Member made in a public Council meeting about a missing person. It was alleged that the comments were insensitive to the missing person’s …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Oct 2023
PSOW-202403830/202402823 — Powys County Council & Welshpool Town Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint that a Member (“the Member”) of Welshpool Town Council (“the Town Council”) and Powys County Council (“the County Council) had breached the Code of Conduct. It was alleged that, when attending a County Council event, the Member had spoken in an insulting manner about the …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Aug 2025
PSOW-202306423 — Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council
We received a complaint that a Member (“the Member”) of Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council (“the Council”) breached the Code of Conduct (“the Code”). The Complainant, a fellow councillor, was concerned about various contacts the Member had made with members of the community in which it was alleged that the …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Aug 2025
PSOW-202207114 — Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint that a Member (“the Member”) of Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council (“the Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct. It was alleged that the Member bullied and harassed officers of the Council by: Making false, unfounded and malicious complaints against the officers; Making false statements …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Aug 2025
PSOW-202405515 — Powys County Council
The Ombudsman received a complaint that a Member (“the Member”) of Powys County Council (“the Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct (“the Code”). It was alleged that the Member made discriminatory comments directed towards the Complainant in a video that was published online. The investigation considered the following paragraphs …
PSOW (Public Services Om…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Mar 2025
21-000-286 — London Borough of Barnet
Summary: Ms X complains the Council has failed to take action in respect of her neighbour’s dog repeatedly fouling outside of her property. She says her neighbour’s conduct is racially motivated. We have found no evidence to suggest the Council has failed in meeting its duty to maintain the cleanliness …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Upheld
Feb 2022
21-015-650 — Havant Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council discriminates against the complainant by allowing car meets to take place in its car parks without a licence. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Mar 2022
22-004-521 — London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has not dealt effectively with complaints about noise nuisance due to the complainant’s ethnic identity and nationality. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault to justify an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Jul 2022
22-011-765 — Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council’s advert for a voluntary position excluded him as a white male and that its employment practices are discriminatory. There is no injustice to Mr X and we cannot lawfully investigate personnel matters.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Dec 2022
24-002-899 — Southampton City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has committed a hate crime/incident because it displayed a book entitled ‘God is Not a White Man’ at one of its libraries. We do not have the jurisdiction to investigate alleged criminal matters.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Jun 2024
24-022-365 — North Yorkshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council racially discriminated against Mrs X. We cannot determine whether the Council has breached the Equality Act 2010 or determine whether the Council is liable for her financial losses. These are matters for the courts.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
May 2025
24-022-200 — Buckinghamshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of the Council’s dog warden. This is because an investigation would not add to the one carried out by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Jun 2025
25-008-931 — Isle of Wight Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order Mrs X says discriminates against young people with disabilities. This is because we are unlikely to find fault with the Council’s decision-making process and only the courts can determine if the Council complied with its legal obligations.
LGO (Local Government & …
Transport And Highways
Sep 2025
24-014-528 — London Borough of Sutton
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about being issued a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping. This is because Mr X can raise a defence against the issuing of the notice in court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Dec 2024
24-015-278 — London Borough of Hillingdon
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about being issued a Fixed Penalty Notice for littering. This is because Mr X can raise a defence against the issuing of the notice in court.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Dec 2024
25-024-549 — London Borough of Southwark
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a noise nuisance complaint. This is because the Council has investigated Mr X’s complaint and taken steps to respond. Therefore, it is unlikely further investigation by us would lead to a significantly different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Jan 2026
25-015-524 — Derbyshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the actions of the Council’s Trading Standards Team because further investigation is unlikely to find fault with the Council.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Feb 2026
21-016-730 — Blackburn with Darwen Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the actions of a social housing landlord in a dispute between Mr X and his neighbour who is a tenant. We cannot investigate the actions of social housing landlords in the management of their estates. There is insufficient evidence of fault in …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Mar 2022
21-002-946 — London Borough of Redbridge
Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of concerns about anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance from a care home. We find fault with the Council for not taking all reasonable steps to investigate Mr X’s reports of alleged noise nuisance. We have made recommendations to remedy the injustice caused …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Upheld
Mar 2022
22-006-168 — Kingston Upon Hull City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint about a theatre performance which used offensive language. This is because Mrs B has not suffered a significant injustice which would justify an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Aug 2022
22-007-987 — Boston Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a Fixed Penalty Notice for fly tipping. This is because Mr X had the option to not pay the original fine and to challenge the matter in court. Mr X instead paid the fine. Mr X subsequently took the Council to …
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Sep 2022
23-018-618 — Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Ms X’s complaints about her neighbours. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Apr 2024
23-018-716 — Blackburn with Darwen Council
Summary: Mr F complained that the Council had barred him and his wife from its markets. We found no fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Other Categories
Not Upheld
Sep 2024
24-022-358 — London Borough of Brent
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about trading standards because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
May 2025
25-003-412 — Basildon Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council issuing her a Fixed Penalty Notice for fly tipping. This is because Ms X can raise a defence against the issuing of the notice in court if she believes it was wrongly issued.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Jul 2025
25-002-088 — Durham County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council serving a community protection notice on Mr Y in 2024. This is because an investigation is unlikely to achieve a worthwhile outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Environment And Regulation
Jul 2025
25-000-532 — Birmingham City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’ss complaint about the Council’s officers using derogatory language. This is because there is not enough evidence of the Council causing personal injustice, it would be reasonable for Mr X to pursue a damages claim in court, and we cannot achieve the outcomes he …
LGO (Local Government & …
Housing
Aug 2025
Domestic Homicide Reviews(3)
Western Suffolk — recommendation 4.4.1
It is recommended that Suffolk County Council, in conjunction with the Community Safety Partnerships, engages with local media to ensure that they are aware of these guidelines and seek to secure a commitment from them to work within these in future reporting.
Suffolk County Council | Community Safety …
Suffolk County Council
Leicester — recommendation 4
The Safer Leicester Partnership to engage with media outlets locally and regionally in relation to the learning from this case to encourage the adoption of best practice in relation to the reporting of domestic homicides.
Safer Leicester Partnership
Kensington and Chelsea — recommendation x
Recommendation to Public Health England that they inform the public that coercive controlling behaviour needs to be reported to ensure vulnerable people are supported.
Public Health England
UK Health Security Agency