Trinity Mirror chief executive has denied there is a “democratic deficit” of local reporting and snubbed the BBC’s proposal to create 100 public service reporting positions.

Speaking on Radio 4’s Media Show, Simon Fox said Trinity Mirror does want “want different help, but we don’t want that help” from the corporation.

The BBC’s proposal for 100 public service reporters was set out by director general Tony Hall in September. It has since been dismissed by the News Media Association, several national newspapers, the National Union of Journalists, which described it as a step towards privatisation, and the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale.