Most complaints going to adjudication are considered by the full Council. However, on occasions, there may be a complaint against a
publication for which a member works, has had some input into the complaint or has some link. On these occasions the member declares the
interest, leaves the meeting and takes no part in the consideration of the complaint.
Members representing the Newspaper Publishers Association are not expected to stand down simply because a complaint is against a publication
from their stable. These members are on the Council to represent the industry as a whole, not their company, and they are only expected to
stand down if they have a conflict with a particular complaint. Council’s decision-making benefits from the industry knowledge these members
bring.
Occasionally a Council member declares a personal interest in a complaint and leaves the meeting while that complaint is under
consideration.