Families of Hillsborough victims and survivors have called on Sir Keir Starmer to block the appointment of former Sun editor David Dinsmore as the government’s new permanent secretary for communications. In a letter to the Prime Minister, they argue that Dinsmore is “manifestly unsuitable” due to his long association with the tabloid, which published false and vicious claims about fans after the 1989 disaster.
Dinsmore edited the Sun from 2013 to 2015 and is now chief operating officer of News UK. The role of permanent secretary for communications was created after Starmer voiced concerns about government communications. The appointment has yet to be confirmed, but senior Labour figures are also understood to have reservations.
The letter highlights that the Sun published “vicious lies” about fans after Hillsborough, for which it later apologised. It also notes Dinsmore’s conviction for breaching the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act after the paper printed a pixelated image of a victim in the Adam Johnson case, though the judge found he did not know he was committing an offence. Additionally, the letter states that as a senior News UK executive, Dinsmore was involved in false denials of unlawful activities by private investigators.
Charlotte Hennessy, who lost her father at Hillsborough, said Dinsmore had suggested the Sun’s only mistake was the headline, not the lies. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram called the appointment “deeply insensitive”, warning it could undermine efforts to rebuild trust in politics.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said no appointment had been made and declined to comment. News UK also declined to comment. Dinsmore began his career at the Scottish Sun in 1990 and rose through senior editorial roles.
