BBC News has apologised for not 'robustly' challenging football commentator Martin Tyler over comments made about the Hillsborough disaster.
In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, Mr Tyler was speaking about 30 years of the Premier League. when referred to 'Hillsborough and other hooligan related issues' in words that have understandably caused great anger. It is widely known and accepted that disgraceful slurs made about Liverpool fans and hooliganism related to the 1989 disaster are untrue, as was clarified at the 2016 inquests which found Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed.
The veteran broadcaster's comments have been widely condemned and today the BBC issued an apology for not challenging him on them. A tweet from the BBC News Press Team account said: "We regret that we did not robustly challenge Martin Tyler on a comment which appeared to link Hillsborough and hooliganism. Martin has since apologised for the comment and clarified that these were separate examples & he did not intend to conflate the two."
READ MORE: BBC hit with complaints over Martin Tyler's Hillsborough comments
People were less than impressed with the apology. Deanna Matthews, whose uncle Brian was killed at Hillsborough, said: "If you can’t be a responsible broadcaster stop giving people a platform to spout lies and untruths."
Hillsborough survivor and author Adrian Tempany added: "More shoddy journalism from the BBC today. So many journalists are now losing the ability to think on their feet, deviate from the script, and challenge people when they lie."
Liverpool City Region Mayor and Liverpool fan Steve Rotheram described the comments as 'exceptionally crass' and said Mr Tyler 'should know much better." He added: "Even now people whose careers are built on football still spread these foul smears."
Liverpool Wavertree MP and Reds fan Paula Barker tweeted: "Disgusting comments from Martin Tyler this morning on BBC Radio 4 Today who said 'Hillsborough and OTHER hooligan related incidents' Nobody challenged him!! How can he be allowed to have a career in sports journalism & perpetuate these lies."
The apology from the BBC came after reports a number of people had made complaints directly to the corporation.
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