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MOD Press Office

Ministry of Defence, London

The Defence Press Office is part of the Directorate General Media and Communications (DGMC) based in Main Building in London. It is the hub of a network of regional Press Offices and other communications personnel (military and civilian) based in agencies and commands around the UK and overseas.

The Press Office is a mixed team of military and civilian personnel combining military expertise with professional media and communications expertise.

What does the Press Office do?

  • Provides a 24 hour, 365 days a year enquiry service for the media and advice to Ministers and the Department;
  • Provides official MOD comment on stories and corrects factually incorrect reporting (usually before publication):
  • Explains Ministerial decisions and Defence policies through briefings, interviews, Press Conferences and media facilities hosted at defence establishments;
  • Advises Ministers, the Armed Forces and officials on external presentation strategies, tactics and timing;
  • Drafts and issues MOD Press Releases, statements and promotes defence stories;
  • Develops handling plans for official announcements;
  • Provides Press Officer support to Ministers and military officials during interviews, meetings and visits;
  • Facilitates direct contact between civil servants and members of the Armed Forces and the media.

Media enquiries

National and international media should direct their enquiries to the Ministry of Defence Press Office:
24hr MOD Press Office Duty Number: 0207 218 7907

Operations
Iraq, Afghanistan, Balkans, other military operations and exercises
Tel: 020 721 83255

Personnel
Honours & Awards, Discipline, Medicals, Reservists, Veterans, Training
Tel: 020 721 87954 

Equipment
Equipment, Procurement, Logistics and Exports
Tel: 020 721 87714

Policy
Budget, Restructuring, Nuclear, NATO/EU, Environment, Arms Control
Tel: 020 721 87909

Other useful MOD numbers:

Head of News
James Shelley
Tel: 020 721 85317

Deputy Head of News & Chief Press Officer (Personnel & Regions)
Nick Pett
Tel: 020 721 82906

Chief Press Officer (Operations)
James Cox
Tel: 020 721 84677

Chief Press Officer (Equipment)
Owen Bassett
Tel: 020 721 87954

Media Operations Team
Co-ordinates media bids to visit Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and other operational theatres.
Squadron Leader Roger Flynn
Tel. 020 721 86200

Regional media are encouraged to contact their Regional Press Officer:

Aldershot
Tel: 01252 347012		 Brecon
Tel: 01874 613480
Bulford
Tel: 01980 672946		 Catterick
Tel: 01748 872016
Chilwell
Tel: 01159 572842		 Colchester
Tel: 01206 815057
Dover
Tel: 01303 225112		 Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 3102093
Exeter
Tel: 01392 492468		 London
Tel: 0207 4142357
Northern Ireland
Tel: 02892 263419		 Preston
Tel: 01772 703000
Shrewsbury
Tel: 01743 262341 		Upavon
Tel: 01980 618083
York
Tel: 01904 662066