Photojournalist wins out-of-court settlement from Metropolitan Police in assault case  

Mr Vallée, a member of the National Union of Journalists, International Federation of Journalists and the British Press Photographers’ Association, was taking photographs of the ‘Sack Parliament’ demonstration protest in Parliament Square on 9 October 2006.

Mr Vallée received injuries further to action by Metropolitan Police officers, which resulted in an ambulance attending to give urgent attention and then treatment at St Thomas’ hospital.

Mr Vallée has received a written apology and an out-of-court settlement. His legal costs for pursuing the action will also be met by the police.

Ms Chez Cotton, Mr. Vallée’s solicitor, said:

“This was an extremely unpleasant incident. Neither the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police or his officers has any legal power, moral responsibility or political responsibility to prevent or restrict what the media record. Mr Vallée is a well-respected photojournalist, lawfully present to photograph a political protest outside parliament, yet he was brutally prevented from doing so by the police. It is right that Mr Vallée has received an apology, an out of court settlement and that his legal costs will be met by the police.”

Mr. Jeremy Dear, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said:

“Marc will be pleased to have finally got an apology from the police, but it is no cause for celebration. It is disgraceful that the police brutally obstructed a member of the press from reporting on a political demonstration. Press freedom is a central tenet of our democracy so Marc Vallée’s treatment by the police is deeply worrying. The Met needs to take a close look at what must be done to ensure its officers respect journalists’ rights.”

Mr Chris Atkins, director of the BAFTA nominated hit feature film documentary “Taking Liberties”, who witnessed the incident, said:

“Seeing photojournalist Marc Vallée assaulted by uniformed officers for simply photographing protesters outside parliament was appalling, and a sad reflection on the political policing that is now part of everyday Britain. Marc’s case is a stark reminder that peaceful protest, and the reporting of it, is very much under threat in this country."

Mr Mark Thomas, comic, activist and a writer said:

"Marc's win shows that police simply cannot attack journalists and get away with it. The Met should be ashamed that the case had to be taken on in the first place, physically assaulting journalists in the pursuit of their job is an outrageous and vile act that smacks of the worst kind of censorship and bully boy tactics. One can only hope that the Met will learn from this and refrain from beating up members of the press in future."

Mr Vallee was represented by Nick Stanage , instructed by Chez Cotton.

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Quick links

> 25/2/08 Photojournalist wins police apology (The Guardian)

> About Marc Vallée: Marc Vallée is a member of the National Union of Journalists, International Federation of Journalists and the British Press Photographers' Association. See: www.marcvallee.co.uk and www.marcvallee.co.uk/blog_250208.html

> 18/09/2007 Press photographer sues Met over demo