BBC apologises for ‘insensitive’ Hillsborough disaster comments on Adrian Chiles’ radio show after QC says ‘Liverpool fans started riot’

The BBC has apologised after being flooded with complaints as a result of a lawyer claiming Liverpool fans caused a ‘riot’ ahead of the Hillsborough disaster on Adrian Chiles’ radio show.

Jonathan Goldberg QC spoke to Adrian on BBC Radio 5 Live last Wednesday after his client Peter Metcalf, who was a solicitor for South Yorkshire Police in 1989, was cleared of perverting the course of justice following the disaster, which killed 96.

Although Mr Goldberg later insisted his words were taken out of context, during the interview, he said: ‘My client was accused of covering up criticism of the police.

‘What he in fact did was cut out criticism of the Liverpool fans, whose behaviour was perfectly appalling on the day, causing a riot that led to the gate having to be opened, that unfortunately let the people in and crushed to death the innocents as they were – complete innocents – who were at the front of the pens, who had arrived early and were not drunk and were behaving perfectly well.’

Later 5 Live programmes also made clear that Mr Goldberg’s comments were wrong, Adrian apologised himself on air on Thursday 27 May, and the BBC removed the interview from our online platforms.  

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‘We are sorry that this wasn’t challenged at the time, and hope our subsequent actions have helped to allay any concerns about this interview,’ a spokesperson added.

Listeners at the time were left furious by the ‘insensitive’ remarks and expressed they expected better from the BBC.

‘Absolutely fuming!’ blasted one. ‘How is it Jonathan Goldberg QC able to go on 5 Live and re-peddling & re-hash the myth that it was Liverpool fans who were responsible for Hillsborough without any challenge!! Absolutely appalling from Adrian Chiles and the BBC!!’

Echoing a similar sentiment, another penned: ‘Appalling comments made by Jonathan Goldberg on @bbc5live today, once again blaming drunken @LFC fans for the riot outside Hillsborough which led to the gates opening. Unchallenged by Adrian Chiles, which is pretty poor journalism.’

Following the broadcast, Adrian spoke about these comments and admitted he ‘should have pulled him up’.

Adrian then read out texts from listeners expressing their dissatisfaction with Mr Goldberg’s comments.

Mr Goldberg also said he had wanted to make the point that Mr Metcalf advised criticisms of the fans were cut from police statements.

‘I did not realise in yesterday’s unscripted and live conversation with Mr Chiles that I had not made this point clear,’ he stated. ‘Mr Chiles did not intervene. He says today he is sorry he did not. If he had, I would have clarified these matters right away.

‘I have received many emails and messages. I have tried to reply courteously to all the courteous ones (many were not). Evidently my words caused distress, for which I do sincerely apologise.

‘However I hope people will agree that free speech is not heresy because it may differ from another person’s opinion. My client was vindicated on Wednesday let us not forget, from a cloud which blighted his life too over decades.’

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