Paul Nuttall's press officer takes responsibility for Hillsborough fiasco
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Paul Nuttall's press officer has taken the blame and offered to resign following damaging false claims that he “lost close personal friends” at Hillsborough.
The UKIP leader was forced to admit the claim posted on his website was wrong after he was challenged during an interview with Radio City Talk in Liverpool.
“I haven’t lost a close personal friend, I’ve lost someone who I know,” he told presenter Dave Eason, adding: “I haven’t put that out, that is wrong.”
In a statement later, Mr Nuttall said he was “appalled” when he found out what had happened but he did not write the web posting, the Liverpool Echo reports .
(Photo: Radio City Talk)
(Photo: Radio City Talk)
“This was an article that I did not write and did not see prior to it being posted by a member of my staff,” he said.
“Of course I take responsibility for those things that are put out under my name, but I was genuinely taken aback when this claim was brought to my attention and am both appalled and very sorry that an impression was given that was not accurate.”
(Photo: Getty)
Lynda Roughley, a press officer for Mr Nuttall, subsequently said she had offered to resign, saying she had been “entirely responsible” for the website post.
She said in a statement: “Paul is a man of great integrity and would not say something he knew to be untrue. It’s me who has made this mistake, and one I feel absolutely terrible about.
“I am frankly mortified at the distress this issue has caused Paul and may have caused to anyone involved with the Hillsborough tragedy.
“I have today offered my resignation. I could not be more sorry.”
(Photo: Bob Thomas/Getty Images)
In a further twist last night, it was reported that Ms Roughley’s resignation had been turned down.
Mr Nuttall, who is standing for UKIP in the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election, has previously hit out over an article in The Guardian which cast doubt on his claim that as a 12-year-old fan he was present in the stadium when the disaster happened.