Press Complaints Commission chairman Sir Christopher Meyer is recovering after a heart operation.
He was admitted to a London hospital two weeks ago with a problem that, after examination, required open heart surgery. He was discharged on Monday of this week, but will be out of action for the next two months while he recuperates.
In the meantime, the PCC will continue to operate in the usual way.
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After being discharged, Meyer told Press Gazette: “This has not been the easiest of times. But I am recovering well with the huge support of my family and look forward to being back ?ghting ?t in the autumn.”
The setback came less than four months after Meyer took up the role after a ?ve-year stint as US ambassador.
In a hectic period, he helped to see off challenges to self-regulation and has begun a review of the workings of the commission. He undertook to give the PCC a higher pro?le with members of the public and started a tour of the regions. That will now be interrupted to allow his recovery.
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Meanwhile, in a candid Press Gazette interview this week, PCC director Guy Black admits he is “sad and frustrated” at the “squabbling” within the industry following the two high-pro?le payment to criminals adjudications – one that went against The Guardian, and another, yet to be published, concerning the News of the World. The commission faces a third such ruling after the Daily Mirror paid a six-?gure sum to Tony Martin, the farmer just released from prison after serving a manslaughter sentence.
By Ian Reeves
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