“It represents a grave error of judgement and an insult to all those who fought tirelessly for truth and justice in the face of decades of institutional failure and media malpractice.”
Ian Byrne MP has written to the Culture Secretary questioning the BBC’s decision to include Kelvin MacKenzie, the former editor of the Sun, and publisher of the infamous “The Truth” front page regarding the Hillsborough disaster, in a discussion on ethical journalism. You can read the text of the letter below.
I am writing to express my profound concern at the BBC’s recent decision to feature Kelvin MacKenzie, the disgraced former editor of The S*n, in a discussion on journalistic standards.
Only last week, we took a huge step forward with the 2nd reading of the ‘Hillsborough Law’. Following this recent progress in Parliament, the decision by the BBC to platform MacKenzie has been received by many involved with Hillsborough as a significant backward step.
As you will be aware, Mr MacKenzie bears personal responsibility for publishing the infamous and deeply harmful “The Truth” front page following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. That appalling headline, filled with lies and smears against Liverpool supporters, caused untold pain and trauma to the families of the 97 victims, survivors, and the wider Liverpool community. Its legacy of hurt and mistrust continues to this day.
For the BBC, our national public service broadcaster, to give such an individual a platform to comment on ethics and journalistic integrity is beyond comprehension. It represents a grave error of judgement and an insult to all those who fought tirelessly for truth and justice in the face of decades of institutional failure and media malpractice.
I would therefore urge you, as Secretary of State, to raise this matter directly with the BBC’s Director General and Board.
The decision to include Mr MacKenzie in such a debate is totally incompatible with the BBC’s duty to uphold trust, decency, and respect for the public it serves – particularly in communities so grievously affected by his past actions.
The BBC must be reminded of its responsibilities, especially when dealing with issues that cut so deeply into our national conscience.
There are countless journalists of integrity who could have contributed meaningfully to such a discussion.
The decision to turn instead to someone synonymous with one of the darkest chapters in British media history is simply indefensible.
I would appreciate your assurance that this issue will be addressed with the seriousness it deserves, and that steps will be taken to prevent similar lapses of editorial judgement in future.
Kind Regards
Ian Byrne MP
- Ian Byrne is the MP for Liverpool West Derby. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
