A tumble-dryer manufacturer whose faulty machines have been linked to fatal house fires complained to press regulator IPSO about a Daily Mirror story saying it would take four years to complete its repairs backlog.

Whirlpool provided evidence to the press watchdog which suggested that in fact it would get all the potentially deadly machines fixed in three years.

IPSO rejected Whirlpool’s complaint saying that the Mirror was reporting claims on a matter of serious public interest.