Plans to charge fees to journalists covering the Conservatives’ party conference in October have been dropped after the party was accused of setting a “dangerous precedent” internationally. The U-turn follows discussions between the party and industry bodies including the Foreign Press Association and the Society of Editors. Both groupings had supported a letter to the Tory party signed by nearly 300 news organisations, which said: “We believe that a fundamental tenet of a free and democratic society is allowing journalists – from all over the world – to freely report on matters of public interest.” No other British political party charges for press accreditation, but a fee was introduced last year by the Tories. The charge of £137 for each journalist’s application was being justified by the party on the basis that it is necessary to address the cost, running into “tens of thousands of pounds”, for security checks for accredited people who do not turn up. The reversal by the party will mean there is no charge for media attendance, while those that have already applied and paid for accreditation will be offered a refund. The change was welcomed by the coalition of news representatives campaigning on the issue, which said in a statement: “As recognised by the party, all party conferences provide a valuable opportunity for political parties to communicate their policies to the public and ahead of an anticipated general election year, the ability of the media to scrutinise and report freely from such events remains especially important and vital for democracy.” The cost of accreditation for the conference, which will be held in Manchester over the course of four days at the start of October, would have risen to £880 for journalists who applied after the end of July. The letter sent to the party earlier this year by media organisations from the UK and abroad said: “This decision sets a dangerous precedent for countries all over the world who will use this decision to justify financial and other barriers to media scrutiny of the political process.”