BBC Merseyside political reporter
A Hillsborough survivor’s partner has called on the mayor of the Liverpool City Region to press the prime minister to reconsider appointing a former Sun editor to a senior government communications job.
Sylvia Rogers, whose husband survived the 1989 disaster, told Steve Rotheram that the appointment of David Dinsmore had “created a lot of anger and distress amongst families and undermined the government’s credibility”.
The Sun apologised 23 years later for its front page which made unfounded claims blaming Liverpool fans in the immediate aftermath of the stadium crush, in which 97 supporters died.
David Dinsmore’s appointment to the role was confirmed by Whitehall on Wednesday night.
Ms Rogers said anti-Sun feeling in Liverpool was still so strong, especially amongst survivors and relatives of those who died.
Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside‘s Hot Seat phone-in, Rotheram said David Dinsmore “shouldn’t be anywhere near a senior government role, I don’t think”.
He said that even though the paper had apologised for its reporting many people still believed the false narrative that fans had been to blame.
Rotheram said the prospect of Mr Dinsmore taking on the role “sent shivers down my spine.”
He said he accepted that the appointment was a civil service role, not a political one, and that Sir Keir Starmer would not have taken part in the appointment procedure.
Announcing the appointment, Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald said: “I’m confident that under David’s leadership the government communication service will take advantage of the rapidly evolving media landscape and go from strength to strength.”
Mr Dinsmore said: “It is an honour to be asked to lead this important mission at such a pivotal moment.
“Clear and engaging communications are central to public trust, policy delivery, and national resilience.”
Meanwhile, Charlotte Hennessey, whose father Jimmy was one of the 97 fans killed, has been part of the campaign calling for a Hillsborough Law and asked Rotheram about progress on its introduction.
She said Sir Keir had “made pledges in our city” regarding the Hillsborough Law and asked Rotheram how he would feel about the Prime Minister coming back to Liverpool for Labour Party conference in September when it remains undelivered.
“My concern is it won’t be delivered before the conference,” she said.
Rotheram responded by saying he thought it was heading in the right direction and he would rather get the legislation right than rush it.
Asked for a potential date for the law to be introduced, Rotheram said he thought it could have “quite a quick passage” through the Parliamentary process, but it would need to be acceptable to the Hillsborough families.
Sir Keir told Labour’s conference last year that he would introduce it in time for the 36th anniversary of the disaster in April.
That deadline was missed.
During a session of Prime Minister’s Questions last month, Deputy PM Angela Rayner said legislation would be brought forward “as soon as we’re confident they will deliver the justice victims deserve.”
The Hillsborough Law would introduce a legal responsibility for public servants to tell the truth – referred to as a duty of candour.
It would also ensure legal funding is provided to people affected by future establishment cover-ups or state disasters.
