The Derby Telegraph (DT) continues its role as an uncritical “Public Relations agency” for Cllr Phil Ingall; the local Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Derby, who was banned for life, for shoplifting, from Sainsbury’s

On 15th April 2026, the DT published an article entitled “Derby councillor who ‘reflected deeply’ after heart problems is standing down”.

The headline suggests that his “heart problems” precipitated the decision to stand down at the next election in May 2027, however Ingall was quoted, in this same article, confirming that the decision had already been made.

“as some of you already know, Celia and I will not be seeking re-election in May 2027”.

He goes on to say:

“I’ve also decided not to put my name forward to become Mayor this May. At the moment, I need to focus on my health, and I know the pressures of that role wouldn’t help.”

A Cllr does not “put their name forward” for election for Mayor; they are nominated and seconded by fellow Cllrs and then voted in at the Annual General Meeting in May. It is custom and practice that the Deputy Mayor becomes Mayor.

Ingall then stated :

“When I was down on my knees in agony, thinking I might have seen my loved ones for the last time, it made me reflect deeply on what we leave behind.”

The implication of the article headline was that his “standing down” would be “soon” when in fact it means that he will continue as a Cllr, and , no doubt a Committee Chair, for another 13 months, despite the “stress” that that will cause. It seems contradictory.

The article highlights Ingall’s new idea:

“Mr Ingall said he is doing more walking to exercise and has noticed in the local graveyard that some of the children there do not have headstones.”.

It’s not clear how he’s concluded that any unmarked graves are of children. He goes on to say:

“It made me think, what if, as a community, we came together to provide a shared headstone – a place to remember children who are no longer with us?

It comes at a cost of £800.

Interestingly, Friends of Nottingham Road cemetery unveiled 2 plaques on 18th April 2026 dedicated to babies and children who have no memorial of their own. Coincidence?

The article later references the underlying issue that has resulted in these actions – his lifetime ban from Sainsbury’s for shoplifting.

“It was a mistake that, when pointed out to me, was corrected immediately.”

“As I went to leave the store, the security person told me I was banned from the store. I was in so much shock from the incident that I just couldn’t believe it.

Sainsbury’s has confirmed that lifetime bans do not arise due to “mistakes”, they arise from systematic and monitored activity to steal from the store, over a period of time. No one is banned for an isolated, human error.

Opinion

The DT article is not about news in the public interest, it is about air brushing and “spinning” alternative reasons why Ingall will not be Deputy Mayor. Whilst the Derby City Council legal and standards machinery seemed to be coy about taking a stand with Ingall, it is clear to many, that Derby will never be taken seriously with a shoplifter in the role of Mayor. It would make Derby a laughing stock!

There are 2 perspectives from commenters :

• Those who can’t get past their personal impression that Ingall is an amiable person, in public; he does enough to reinforce that view.

• Those who know that the “story” doesn’t add up.

Derby News has information from a variety of reliable sources, including people directly employed by Sainsbury’s, that confirms that the “story” peddled in the Derby Telegraph is not true; why does the DT not raise questions?

The “mistake” that Ingall made was to be complacent. When he first got caught, he clearly thought that it had finished ; he thought he had “got away with it”. In reality, it initiated an investigation by Sainsbury’s, that uncovered the details of previous incidences of shoplifting. When he was subsequently caught by Security, again, he was banned for life.

Of course, Ingall was not a “lone gunman” – he went everywhere with his wife Cllr Celia Ingall, which is why they were both banned!

Postscript

Time for a “sharp exit” to France! Good luck with that, post-Brexit!