Boris Johnson is 'very, very sorry' for Hillsborough article that blamed Liverpool fans

Speaking in central London, the capital's mayor said: "I'm very, very glad that this report does lay to rest the false allegation that was made at the time about the behaviour of those fans." (Getty Images)

Boris Johnson today said he was “very, very sorry” for comments made in a 2004 Spectator article about Liverpool fans involved in the Hillsborough disaster.

Speaking in central London, the capital's mayor said: "I'm very, very glad that this report does lay to rest the false allegation that was made at the time about the behaviour of those fans.

"I was very, very sorry in 2004 that the Spectator did carry an editorial that partially repeated those allegations, I apologised then and I apologise now.

"I do hope the families of the 96 victims will take some comfort from this report and that they can reach some sort of closure."

Mr Johnson went on: "I'm glad that this independent report has finally nailed the myth that drunken fans were in any way responsible for the deaths of 96 people.

"That was a lie that unfortunately and very, very regrettably got picked up in a leader in the Spectator in 2004, which I was then editing.

"I went to Liverpool to apologise unreservedly for that mistake and I repeat that apology today."

PA