Kelly Complaint On Child Privacy Rejected

The Press Complaints Commission has vindicated the Daily Mirror for revealing that Ruth Kelly, the communities secretary, sent her child to a private school. Ruling for the Mirror, the PCC said Ms Kelly, a previous education minister, had “understandable concerns” for the welfare of her son, who has special needs, but that the Mirror article highlighted a subject of “considerable public interest”.

It said: “The fact that the complainant did not feel that the current state system could meet her child’s requirements raised questions about the nature of publicly funded schooling and its ability to cater for children with special needs (including those whose families would not be able to pay for private schooling).”

The Mirror’s editor, Richard Wallace, said “As the Daily Mirror said at the time, when it comes to important issues the public has a right to know whether politicians are as sound in deed as they are in word.”

Ms Kelly said she was “very disappointed” by the PCC ruling. “I have always accepted the scrutiny, both personal and political, which comes with being a politician and minister. But this case was not about me but about a nine-year-old child.

“I brought the complaint because I do not see why the protection that the code rightly gives to children in general should not extend to the children of politicians. My sole intention throughout was to protect my son.”

Clause 6i of the PCC code says “young people should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary intrusion”. To override the “usually paramount interests of a child”, editors must “demonstrate an exceptional public interest”.