Met Police apology for journalists covering protest

Investigative photojournalist Marc Vallée and videographer Jason Parkinson have received an apology and damages from the Metropolitan Police Service after being forcibly prevented from working by officers at a political protest outside the Greek Embassy in 2008, the NUJ said today.

Both members received this apology:"The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has accepted liability for breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The MPS apologise for this and have paid compensation. The MPS confirms its recognition that freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy and that journalists have a right to report freely. The MPS recognise that on 8 December 2008 they failed to respect press freedom in respect of Mr Vallée and Mr Parkinson.The police have accepted liability for breaching Article 10 and made a payment of £3,500 compensation to each and are paying their legal costs."

Responding to the settlement Jeremy Dear, NUJ general secretary said:"Professional journalists and photographers have detailed numerous attempts by police officers to stifle the reporting of protests. Today we have achieved a significant victory - it is right that the police admit liability, apologise and compensate those whose basic human rights were breached in such a blatant and aggressive manner."