The Audit Bureau of Circulation has vowed to “monitor the situation closely” after a dirty tricks row broke out this week between London’s two free afternoon papers amid allegations of paper dumping.
On Monday, London Lite owner Associated Newspapers released footage taken by former detective inspector Phillip Swinburne of vendors working for News International’s thelondonpaper dumping copies in bins. thelondonpaper hit back and released photographs (above) of copies of London Lite, which it alleged had been dumped in bins.
Associated first accused NI of dumping copies last month when thelondonpaper increased its print run from 400,000 to 500,000 a day.
In a statement, ABC said: “ABC do not currently know the extent of what is being alleged and whether this relates to any publisher’s claim or ABC certified figures at this stage.
“ABC has a strict compliance and complaints procedure in place.
If anyone believes any of the rules which have been set by the ABC council have been infringed, the ABC complaints procedure will ensure a full investigation and the details of any upheld complaints communicated. ABC will follow these industry agreed processes and continue to monitor the situation closely.”
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