Keir Starmer has sparked huge backlash within Labour after appointing a former Sun newspaper editor to head up a top job in government. Over the weekend it emerged that the paper’s former editor from 2013 to 2015, David Dinsmore, will take up a new and important role overseeing all civil service communications.
Under the title “permanent secretary for communications”, he will be tasked with improving how the government explains its plans and policies to the public. However, the decision has sparked fury among Labour’s Liverpool politicians, over the Sun’s relationship with the north west city following Hillsborough. Today a top Labour politician broke silence to condemn the appointment, warning it will destroy trust in the government.
Steve Rotherham, the city’s metro mayor and a former MP for the area, also demanded answers about the appointment process.
Going public with his anger at Sir Keir’s pick, Mr Rotherham blasted: “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t comment on staffing decisions – especially those involving civil servants who, too often, are subjected to unfair criticism – but given the context, I feel compelled to speak out about the appointment of David Dinsmore, a former editor of The Sun, to a senior communications role in the Civil Service.
“For many people in our city, particularly those who fought for justice for the Hillsborough families, this appointment will be seen as a deeply insensitive choice, given the hurt caused to our communities unjustly targeted by that ‘newspaper’, Rupert Murdoch and his acolytes.
“Liverpool hasn’t forgotten. We haven’t forgiven. And we never will.
“The paper Dinsmore once led printed falsehoods that caused unimaginable pain. That shouldn’t be brushed off as a footnote in his CV, it should be a red line.
“There are legitimate questions that deserve answers. Was the process genuinely open, fair and transparent? Were the views and experiences of those affected by that brand of journalism taken into account?
“I fully support the government’s ambition to rebuild trust in politics. But appointments like this could risk undermining that effort. Trust can’t be restored by drawing from the same networks that helped erode it.”
This afternoon, three Labour Liverpool MPs also wrote to the PM demanding he reconsider the appointment, which “deeply affects Hillsborough families, survivors and our city”.
Ian Byrne, Kim Johnson and Paula Barker blasted: “Prime Minister, on every possible level your appointment of this form S*n editor to a top government communications role, at the same time as the people of our city are being told that you plan to introduce a watered-down version of the Hillsborough Law, is a gross betrayal of the people of Liverpool and an insult to every campaign group fighting for the Hillsborough Law.
“We urge you to consider the impact of this ill-judged appointment on Hillsborough families, survivors and campaigners, and the people of our city more broadly, and to urgently revisit your decision to appoint Dinsmore to this state-funded role.”
The Labour leader is already under fire from his Liverpudlian MPs over a major delay to his promised ‘Hillsborough Law’, which he promised would pass by April – the anniversary of the tragedy.
The Bill would install a legal duty of candour for public servants, meaning any cover-ups would be met with the full weight of the law.
However the legislation is now being held up over resistance from the Treasury over fears it could cost £1 billion a year.
Mr Byrne warned the Government must have introduced the legislation before their September conference in Liverpool or feel the wrath of the city.