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PCC director to quit
Roy Greenslade Guardian
DATELINE: 10/2/12
Stephen Abell, director of the Press Complaints Commission for the last two years, is leaving. He will leave at the end of the month.His departure, which has been under discussion for some time, is unsurprising given that the PCC will almost certainly be reconstituted.
Abell, who has spent more than 10 years with the commission, has been in charge during its most difficult period, culminating in the controversy over phone hacking. He oversaw the early departure of its previous chair, Lady Buscombe, and has worked alongside her successor, Lord Hunt, since his arrival in October last year.
Hunt said he and Abell had agreed that they would work together until they "were in a position to propose a new structure for self-regulation of the press." He added: "I have valued Stephen's assistance in this, and his professionalism in leading the PCC's staff as they continued their important work... It is testament to him that the service to complainants, both those in the public eye and those without claim to celebrity, has improved and expanded over the last few years. I wish him success in all his future endeavours."
Abell, 31, is to become a partner with Pagefield communications consultancy, where he will assume responsibility for media relations and crisis communication. He said: "I decided last year that it was time for a new challenge. First, I wanted to work with David Hunt in the development of positive proposals for a new structure of self-regulation... I also wanted to give a full account of the work of the PCC to Lord Justice Leveson."
He said he remained "a firm supporter of enhanced self-regulation for the press", adding: "My greatest professional satisfaction at the PCC has been in our establishment of a bespoke 24-hour service to help complainants obtain redress, stop harassment and prevent the publication of inaccurate or intrusive material. I leave a great team of people, who have much to offer in the changing world ahead."
It appears that Abell's PCC job, as it is currently constituted, may not be filled. Instead, the commission has appointed Michael McManus to be "director of transition."
McManus has been a long-time associate of Hunt's. They worked together for six years at the law firm Beachcroft, where he dispensed political and legislative advice to clients.
Hunt and McManus co-wrote an article for The Guardian in September 2010 in which they praised Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg for forging a "strong" coalition with the Conservatives.
McManus spent years as a special adviser in parliament and also ran Edward Heath's Westminster private office. Most recently he has worked at the PR firm Bell Pottinger.
McManus said: "I am delighted to be joining the PCC at this crucial juncture in its existence. All my work in journalism and politics has convinced me that self-regulation of the press can and must be made to work."I relish the challenge of playing such a senior role in the urgent and crucially important task of creating a new, independent press regulator with real teeth."
A further senior PCC appointment is expected shortly.Sources: PCC/Personal knowledge
Last modified: Friday, February 10, 2012
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Previous stories
Press Complaints Commission
Jeremy Hunt hints at demise of Press Complaints Commission
Gordon Brown wins ruling over Sunday Telegraph's 'Murdoch rant' story
Phone hacking row: PCC head Buscombe 'stepping down'
Journalists' dilemma: should access to Facebook be deleted on death?
Buscombe stutters through radio grilling over phone-hacking
Could bloggers kill the PCC?
Let's just get rid of it
Why won't the PCC act over phone hacking?
Puttnam on the PCC: 'I'd give it a year'
IFJ report on hacking row exposes weakness of UK Press Complaints Commission:
NoW accused of tapping 'amnesia'
Stephen Gately the CPBF and the PPC
Gately column complaint rejected
PCC is 'farcical', says ex-director of public prosecutions
PCC Governance Review
Wanted - your views on the PCC
IFJ to investigate role of UK press complaints body in telephone tapping controversy
MPs express anger at PCC phone hacking 'whitewash'
Making the PPC accountable - sign up now
PCC to examine Mail Gately column
PCC to investigate itself
New attempt to reform PCC
Fewer Complaints and Greater Complacency
Submission to DCMS on press regulation
Press Complaints Commission widens its remit
Frankenstein Unbound?
CPBF writes to PCC on editors' code of conduct
A Pathetic Judgement
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PCC rejects CPBF Express complaint
