A weekly newspaper must publish a front page apology after IPSO upheld a complaint that its splash “Shylock jibe after bitter flats protest” gave a “significantly misleading impression” of events.

The Hamstead and Highgate Express reported that two Jewish property developers were the subject of anti-Semitic abuse when a resident used the term “Shylock” to describe them during a heated conversation after a controversial planning proposal was approved.

The report was accompanied by the sub headline: “Developer claims anti-Semitic abuse was hurled following planning win.” In it the reporter, who was present at the meeting, said the resident admitted to using the term Shylock – a reference to Shakespeare’s money lender in The Merchant of Venice – but that he did not believe his words were anti-Semitic.