Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Telegraph editorial: Newspaper will make 'no apology' over HSBC scandal coverage

Newspaper releases defiant editorial after Peter Oborne allegations

Heather Saul
Friday 20 February 2015 09:46 GMT
Comments
The editorial published on Thursday
The editorial published on Thursday

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Telegraph is refusing to apologise for its coverage of the HSBC scandal.

The newspapers said it makes “no apology” for its coverage of allegations that banking giant HSBC promoted tax avoidance schemes in an editorial published on Thursday.

The newspaper said it had reported the matter according to its "editorial judgement and informed by our values".

The editorial comes after its former chief political commentator Peter Oborne accused the paper of failing to cover the scandal in a blog post, where he also claimed his bosses had removed pieces critical of China.

It said: “Our support for Britain's financial services has never blinded us to the failings of the industry.

“In 2012, we revealed that HSBC was at the centre of a major HM Revenue and Customs investigation after it opened offshore accounts in Jersey for criminals living in this country.”

It noted that other media outlets “showed remarkably little interest” in this story at the time.

“No subject, no story, no person and no organisation is off-limits to our journalists. They will follow the facts without fear or favour and present the results of their work to you solely on their journalistic merits, according to their sound editorial judgment and no other consideration.

The article also warned that it would take “no lectures on journalism” from rival media outlets.

It concluded: “We are proud to do that which our critics cannot or will not do: to combine journalistic excellence with commercial success.”

Additional reporting by PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in