Reform deputy leader defends ban on councillors speaking to local paper, saying: 'You pick and choose who you speak to'More now from the interview with Reform's deputy leader, Richard Tice. The Reform UK leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Mick Barton, has banned councillors from speaking to journalists from Nottinghamshire Live. And presenter Jonathan Samuels asked Tice how that move squared with Reform's stated commitment to free speech. Senior editor at Nottinghamshire Live, Natalie Fahy, said: "The Reform UK makes huge noises about respecting free speech, transparency, honesty and being straight-talking. "Grow up Mick Barton, and start accepting a free press is there to hold you and your councillors to account."

Source: The Times August 29, 2025 03:45 UTC