Diary: Mum's the word, Mrs Bottomley: Correction

Virginia Bottomley

A MEETING took place yesterday between Andreas Whittam Smith, Editor of the Independent, and Peter Bottomley MP, husband of the Secretary of State for Health, , under the conciliation procedure of the Press Complaints Commission.

This followed a reference to the Commission from Mr Bottomley about a story which appeared in the Independent's diary column on 10 July stating that Mr and Mrs Bottomley's first child was born shortly before her marriage at the age of 19.

While maintaining the legitimate public interest in the report because of the emphasis placed in last week's health White Paper on curbing teenage pregnancies, Mr Whittam Smith expressed regret that the Independent had named the Bottomleys' son - a private person.

Mr Bottomley is withdrawing his complaint to the Press Complaints Commission.

Leading article, letters, page 16