Bromsgrove MP’s anger over 'insulting' Hillsborough jibes - The Bromsgrove Standard

Bromsgrove MP’s anger over 'insulting' Hillsborough jibes

Bromsgrove Editorial 8th May, 2014 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid has condemned insulting changes to Wikipedia pages for the Hillsborough tragedy which were made from Government computers.

The references include taunts towards the victims of the 1989 stadium disaster where Bromsgrove man Andrew Brookes was among 96 fans which were killed on the day.

The changes which were made in 2009 on the 20th anniversary of the incident and again in 2012 included phrases such as ‘You’ll never walk again’ mocking the popular Liverpool song ‘You’ll never walk alone’ as well as ‘Blame Liverpool fans’ in reference to unfounded tabloid reports at the time.

They are believed to have originated from computers from various Government departments including the Treasury and Culture, Media and Sport although pre-date the times Mr Javid who has served in both offices.




He said: “Like most people I was disgusted to learn that changes had been made to the Wikipedia pages.

“The Government is clear that this is totally unacceptable and the Cabinet Office has begun an investigation.


“No one should be in any doubt of the Government’s support for the families of the 96 victims and all those affected by the tragedy.”

The scandal was revealed by the Liverpool Echo recently which passed the information onto the Cabinet Office.

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: “The amendments made to Wikipedia are sickening.

“The behaviour is in complete contravention of the Civil Service Code.

“It is entirely unacceptable.

“At this time, we have no reason to suspect that the Hillsborough edits involve any particular department, nor more than one or two individuals in 2009 and 2012.

“As the first incident happened five years ago and there are hundreds of thousands of people on the Government’s network, it may prove challenging to identify who was involved.

“But we are exhausting every option.

“Anyone with information should contact the Cabinet Office.”

She added ‘important stakeholders’ including the Hillsborough Family Support Group, the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Hillsborough Disaster and MP Andy Burnham would be kept updated of any findings.

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