BBC news have been accused of an 'appalling insult' to everyone affected by the Hillsborough Disaster after booking former S*n editor Kelvin Mackenzie as a guest.
Mackenzie, who edited The S*n from 1981 until the early 1990s, was in charge of the newspaper when it published lies about Liverpool fans in the wake of the 1989 disaster, in which 97 Reds supporters were unlawfully killed.
In recent days Mackenzie, who is reviled on Merseyside along with the publication he used to edit, has been appearing in the media to discuss the fallout from The S*n's claims that a high profile BBC presenter was accused of paying a person for explicit images.
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The tabloid's story was put in doubt last night when the person alleged to be involved with the TV star issued a statement rubbishing the claims. The BBC has used Mackenzie on its news programmes to discuss issues around tabloid news coverage. He was heard speaking on Nicky Campbell's radio show on BBC 5Live, among others.
This decision by the national broadcaster has been met with anger and upset, especially by those who still painfully remember the damage done by headlines that falsely blamed Liverpool fans for causing the 1989 disaster.
Liverpool West Derby fan Ian Byrne, who was in the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough when the disaster unfolded, tweeted: "BBC News wheeling out Kelvin Mackenzie to discuss truth in the tabloid media is beyond tone deaf and an appalling insult to Hillsborough families and survivors. Do better."
Liverpool playwright Ian Salmon agreed, stating: "Seriously? BBC News wheeled out the man who printed the biggest lie in tabloid history to talk about the truth? He should never be given airtime by anyone."
Others voiced their concerns about the booking. Sunder Katwala, from the British Future think tank said it was 'hard to see Kelvin Mackenzie as a credible voice on media ethics," while another commentator added: "The fact that BBC World at One invited Kelvin Mackenzie on to discuss the ethics of the BBC and The S*n today beggars belief."
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