The new British press watchdog set up in the wake of the phone hacking scandal involving newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch has given the management of The Irish News fourteen days to resolve a complaint from myself that the paper breached the Editor’s Code of Practice in its coverage of the subpoena served against the former Loyalist activist Winston ‘Winky’ Rea.

Allison Morris on a happier day. She may not win an award for her ‘Winky’ Rea coverage however

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has written to The Irish News informing the newspaper that if it fails to resolve the matter to my satisfaction the IPSO can then formally consider the complaint. The IPSO can then choose to impose sanctions against TheIrish News, if necessary.

The complaint arose out of a front page story written by Allison Morris claiming that ‘Winky’ Rea had told interviewers from the…