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Liverpool MP, Ian Byrne, has criticized the BBC for its decision to interview Kelvin MacKenzie regarding the resignations of director general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness. In a letter addressed to culture secretary Lisa Nandy, Byrne described the inclusion of MacKenzie as a “grave error of judgement” and an “insult” to the survivors of the Hillsborough disaster. MacKenzie, who was the editor of the Sun newspaper in 1989, is famously known for publishing the false headline ‘The Truth’, which wrongly accused fans of causing the stadium crush that led to the death of 97 people.
Byrne, representing West Derby, expressed his “profound concern” to Nandy, highlighting the timing of MacKenzie’s appearance as a setback following the recent readings of the ‘Hillsborough Law’. He emphasized the enduring pain caused by the Sun’s misleading headline, stating that it had inflicted trauma on the families of the victims and the wider Liverpool community. The BBC defended MacKenzie’s interview, stating that it was part of a news package seeking perspectives from various individuals in the media industry.
The inclusion of Kelvin MacKenzie in a discussion on ethics and journalistic integrity was strongly condemned by Byrne, who labeled it as incomprehensible. Referring to the continued legacy of pain and mistrust stemming from the Sun’s false allegations, Byrne called on Nandy to intervene by addressing the matter directly with the BBC’s director general and board. Liverpool FC officials were reported to be outraged by the decision, expressing their discontent to BBC outlets that aired clips of the interview. MacKenzie had previously apologized for the misleading headline in 2012, however, the newspaper remains boycotted by many in Merseyside.
Hillsborough survivor Peter Scarfe, as chairman of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance, echoed the sentiment that MacKenzie’s inclusion was a disrespectful gesture. Despite MacKenzie’s apology and claim of being misled over the facts, the wounds caused by the false narrative persist. The fresh inquests conducted in 2016 and 2021 led to the conclusion that the 97 victims were unlawfully killed, absolving fans of any blame in the tragic event. MacKenzie, now 79 years old, was interviewed via video call following the resignations of Davie and Turness
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