The Sentinel, based in Stoke-on-Trent, has won full access for its reporters and photographers at a key count on its patch tonight.
An initial ruling by the local authority meant journalists would only be allowed access to a side room at the Brough Park Leisure Centre, in Leek, The Sentinel reported.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council felt media staff ‘could disturb the tallying process for the hotly-contested Moorlands seat”.
The paper said:
“The authority was the only one in The Sentinel’s circulation area to impose such restrictions.
“After consulting with other media, The Sentinel instructed lawyers to ask the council for the conditions to be reviewed, arguing that the restrictions were not in the interests of transparent democracy.
“And yesterday, the authority’s acting returning officer agreed that accredited media representatives would be allowed access to the counting floor, subject to certain conditions.”
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