Patrick Phelvin

An interesting case for anyone interested in journalism, censorship and press freedom. @nottspolice position based on the bogus assumption an @policeconduct investigation could be prejudiced by reporting of facts. When will police learn it's best to get the facts out fast?

#Devon. 24/01/26 00:23 We have had a report of a tree down on New North Road near the junction with Streatham Drive in Exeter. Please drive with care. KW

There is a flaw in the @AskFirstBus live mapping which does not illustrate there has been a diversion in place for a week, stranding students in the pouring rain and resulting in missed education. We must stop treating youmg people like 2nd class citizens.

Well done #Devon County Council facebook.com/share/p/1FoMBX… HT @DevonCC @NHSDevon

The #M5 in #Exeter is closed northbound between J29 #ExeterAirport and J28 #Cullompton due to a police led incident. More information to follow, thank you for your patience.

New on HTFP today: Former regional editors @Richard1Neville and @pphelvin join @IpsoNews standards panel holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2025/news/form…

More than 100 Devon residents a day are having their say about the future of local authorities in the county every day. Have you completed our short survey yet? #Democracy #LGR #LoveDevon devoncountycouncil.commonplace.is/?utm_source=dc…..

A brilliant bit of investigative journalism by the @ObserverUK and @chloehadj today. I bought #TheSaltPath, smelled a rat and was hoping someone with tenacity and grit would take a look. Can I have my money back @PenguinBooks? observer.co.uk/news/national/…

@argfootball2025 @walsham_charlie @piersmorgan Hurican according to news reports.

@walsham_charlie @piersmorgan It was URUS, powerful SUV, but it is not Diablo or smth

A tyre blow-out… just a freak accident that can happen to anyone, anytime. And in a flash, Diogo’s young life was over, his brother’s life was over, and their family and friends are left to grieve them for a lifetime. So desperately sad.

As a journalist simple stories which related to the public at large always did best. Which explains why this #Devon #recycling update is getting significant attention. Who knew? 🤯 devon.gov.uk/news/recycling…

The team is ready to receive @DevonCC #LocalElections2025 results. We'll publish them live, as we get them, here: devon.gov.uk/democracy/divi… #LocalElections2025

@JournoMikeT We're working on finding a pilot at @DC_PCC as part of the South West Criminal Justice Board. Interestingly there was a suggestion it was to be part of the original scheme but my understanding is it was dropped because of fears it would compete with freelancer court reporters.

Here's an idea - expand the LDRS scheme to cover courts and have court reporters alongside council reporters. Means publications across a county can have regular court copy alongside their staff reporters who occasionally go into court for qualifications/big cases

@Dave_J_Bryant @kelvmackenzie And now arrests have been made proceedings are active, COC Act applies and any description of offenders poses a risk (however slight) of prejudicing a fair trial. The BBC decision making on this is standard practice and entirely logical. 3/3.

@Dave_J_Bryant @kelvmackenzie In this case the statement by Beds police said nothing about ethnicity or skin colour. It is here: beds.police.uk/news/bedfordsh…

@Disillu24225329 @kelvmackenzie It's not listed as one of the 10 points you can report at this stage in proceedings. Degree in journalism, senior @NCTJ_news qual, 23 years as reporter (including lots of court) and a bit as editor since you ask.

@pphelvin @kelvmackenzie Describing the attacker is not contempt of court... where did you study law? Pathetic defence .

@JimMurrayLaw @kelvmackenzie Appeals for information are exempt. This is irrelevant once arrests made. If anything reporting of 'colour' (as you call it) would pose a prejudicial risk. So why would a journalist bother?

@pphelvin @kelvmackenzie As David Bryant says here in response, publishing the colour etc is not prejudicial and not contempt of court. But it is still not so, even if someone had taken a video and this released to the public as ‘someone to help with police enquiries’. Or even as someone a suspect

@Dave_J_Bryant @kelvmackenzie It wouldn't be usual practice though. And if I remember rightly ethnicity not one of the 10 reporting points allowed under Magistrates Court Act at this point in CJS.

@pphelvin @kelvmackenzie No, a general description of height, age, clothing, race, etc would not be in any way.

The November meeting of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel is about to get under way, with the draft 2025-29 Police and Crime Plan on the agenda. Agenda, papers and live YouTube link🎦here: plymouth.gov.uk/meeting-and-mi…