Patrick Barkham
Thursday March 10, 2005
The Guardian
http://media.guardian.co.uk/presspublishing/story/0,7495,1434087,00.html
Gypsy groups reported the Sun to the police and the Press Complaints Commission yesterday, claiming that its new campaign against Traveller camps was an incitement to racial hatred.
Their leaders made formal complaints to the Hampshire and Sussex police, and communities spoke of the fear and intimidation caused by the tabloid declaring “war on gipsy [sic] free-for-all”, under the headline “Stamp on the camps”.
A woman living on a site in Kent was so worried by the Sun’s attitude that she contacted the police yesterday and asked for their protection. Other Gypsies said their children were frightened when they read headlines apparently declaring “war” on them.
The Sun’s campaign, which has had wide support from readers, warned of a “gipsy invasion”. It responds to the government’s instruction to local authorities to take account of resident Traveller populations when they draw up their housing plans, and identify land which Travellers can buy and develop.
John Prescott, the deputy prime minister, has also given local authorities enhanced “stop” powers to halt unauthorised camps, in an effort to reduce the tension between settled communities and those occupying temporary sites.
Len Smith of the British Committee on Romany Emancipation made a formal complaint and statement to Hampshire police, who said they would refer it to the Metropolitan police.
Andrew Ryder of the Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition lodged an objection with the Press Complaints Commission.
http://media.guardian.co.uk/presspublishing/story/0,7495,1434087,00.html
Links to the Sun stories:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2005111823,00.html
