Mail On Sunday Boss Says Sorry To Miliband

The editor of The Mail On Sunday has apologised "unreservedly" to Ed Miliband after a reporter tried to question his family at a memorial service.

Geordie Greig called the move to send a journalist to the private ceremony for the Labour leader's uncle a "deplorable intrusion" and "terrible lapse of judgement".

Two Mail On Sunday journalists have been suspended and a full investigation launched by the newspaper into the blunder.

The female journalist went to the service for Professor Harry Keen at Guy's Hospital in London on Wednesday and approached his grieving daughter.

Labour sources said she shook her hand and offered her condolences before asking for a reaction to a controversial Daily Mail article about Mr Miliband's father Ralph.

Mail On Sunday editor Geordie Greig (left) and Lord Rothermere (right)

She was told "no comment" and tried a second time before giving up and leaving, according to the party. 

Mr Miliband, who spoke at the ceremony, was told about the approach by relatives later and complained to the newspaper group's chairman Lord Rothermere.

In an angry letter, he wrote: "My wider family, who are not in public life, feel understandably appalled and shocked that this can have happened ...

"Sending a reporter to my late uncle's memorial crosses a line of common decency. I believe it a symptom of the culture and practices of both the Daily Mail and the Mail On Sunday."

He demanded that the chairman launch a "swift investigation" into what he called "this latest episode" and into the wider methods of both newspapers.

And for the first time he linked the row to press regulation, saying: "I believe no purpose would be served by me complaining to the Press Complaints Commission because it is widely discredited."

Mr Greig's statement was issued shortly after Labour revealed details of the complaint.

He said: "I unreservedly apologise for a reporter intruding into a private memorial service for a relative of Ed Miliband. The reporter was sent without my knowledge; it was a decision which was wrong. 

"I would further like to apologise to members of the family and friends attending the service for this deplorable intrusion.

"I have already spoken personally to Ed Miliband and expressed my regret that such a terrible lapse of judgement should have taken place.

Ed Miliband with his father Ralph, who died in 1994

"It is completely contrary to the values and editorial standards of The Mail On Sunday. I understand that Lord Rothermere is personally writing to Ed Miliband."

The development is the latest twist in a bitter war of words that has erupted between the politician and the media organisation.

It was sparked by a feature in the Daily Mail last Saturday which portrayed Ralph Miliband - a top Marxist academic who died in 1994 - as "The Man Who Hated Britain".

Mr Miliband was also angry after the Mail Online used a picture of his father's grave with the caption "grave socialist" and insisted on writing a rebuttal for the paper.

But the Mail has refused to apologise, and only included his response next to an editorial justifying its position and a shorter version of the original piece.

The row has continued to rage all week, and a new column in the Daily Mail on Thursday accuses the Labour leader of "a show of calculated hysteria".

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has joined the criticism, declaring that the newspaper is "overflowing with bile" about modern Britain.

He accused the Mail of "denigrating" the country and said Mr Miliband's reaction was "quite understandable".

Mr Clegg is the latest senior figure from across the political spectrum to voice concern about the coverage, but others have argued the press should be left alone.

The dispute comes days before the Privy Council is due to consider rival proposals put forward by the Government and the industry for a new system of press regulation.

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