Ed Miliband apologises 'to those who are offended' after Sun picture sparks Hillsborough criticism
Labour leader Ed Miliband has apologised “to those who feel offended” after being pictured endorsing The Sun’s special World Cup 2014 edition.
Controversy: Ed Miliband poses with the Sun
Miliband was slammed by campaigners and politicians who said his decision to promote the Sun was an insult to the people affected by the Hillsborough disaster.
The Sun apologised in 2012 for its 1989 coverage of events, in which 96 people died, that claimed football fans had behaved violently and stolen from the dead. The coverage led to a mass boycott in Liverpool that has continued ever since.
The stunt from Miliband led one Labour councillor to resign from the party. Martin Cummins said the picture of Miliband holding the Sun “rocked me to my core”. Campaign groups labelled the picture "an absolute disgrace".
In a statement, a spokesman for Ed Miliband said: “Ed Miliband was promoting England’s bid to win the World Cup and is proud to do so.
“But he understands the anger that is felt towards the Sun over Hillsborough by many people in Merseyside and he is sorry to those who feel offended.”
The Sun thanked Miliband for the picture, and said: “The free edition of the Sun is an unashamedly positive celebration of Englishness, and it should come as no surprise that politicians on all sides are happy to get behind our uplifting message.”
Prime minister David Cameron and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg also had pictures taken with the edition, which was delivered free to households in England.