The Guardian are today reporting that respected Merseyside football journalist Tony Barrett has resigned from his role with The Times newspaper. Barrett is a native of Liverpool and has previously worked with the Liverpool Echo, and is renowned as one of the best football journalists on Merseyside.
Barrett was involved in a public dispute with the newspaper in the aftermath of the results of the Hillsborough inquests. The results of the inquests were the lead stories on most of England's national newspapers, aside from The Times, who did not put the story on the front page. Upon learning of this fact, Barrett, who covered the story for the newspaper, tweeted his dismay:
Unbelievable.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) April 26, 2016
After an enormous reaction online, and similar tweets by other members of the Times' sports desk, the paper put the story on the cover of the second edition:
We've been criticised today for not having Hillsborough on our first edition front page. This is our response: pic.twitter.com/GNhBN6g3S1
— The Times (@thetimes) April 27, 2016
Barrett later tweeted an apology:
To everyone who's been let down I'm so sorry.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) April 27, 2016
The Times are owned by Rupert Murdoch's News International, the corporation who also own The Sun newspaper, who printed outrageous lies concerning the behaviour of Liverpool fans on the day of the disaster under the headline of The Truth. These allegations were proved to be untrue during the inquests.
The Guardian report that Barrett has yet to set a date for his resignation, and has yet to comment publicly.
Last week, broadcaster and Liverpool fan Colin Murray quit his job with TalkSPORT following its takeover by Murdoch and News International.
