Nuttall Hillsborough story raises questions | Letters

Ian Cobain quotes my former colleague at Edge Hill University, history lecturer David Renton, recalling that in 1999 Paul Nuttall submitted an undergraduate essay in which he “cited the notorious Holocaust denier David Irving” as an authoritative source (Report, 25 February). When confronted about the appropriateness of referencing Irving as credible, Nuttall passed responsibility for the citations to his girlfriend who had “found them on the internet”.

There is a further, significant question about Paul Nuttall’s time as an undergraduate, regarding his much publicised claims to have “survived” Hillsborough. In Hillsborough’s aftermath I was director of the externally funded Hillsborough Project based at Edge Hill. In the 1990s we published two major reports, contributed to Jimmy McGovern’s groundbreaking drama-documentary Hillsborough, and in 1999 I published the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth. Each received national and international media coverage. Given the publicity, Paul Nuttall would have known about the project, our research with bereaved families and survivors, and our publications. Yet he never approached us and never shared his experiences – not even a confidential conversation. Yet, over a decade later, and while the Hillsborough Independent Panel was in session, he publicly stated that he had survived the disaster in which “close friends” had died.

Having worked on Hillsborough for over two decades, most recently heading the panel’s research and with families’ legal teams throughout the inquests, I have read many statements of those who came forward. Neither Paul Nuttall, a child at the time, nor the members of his family that he claims were with him, have explained why they did not volunteer statements. Last week Paul Nuttall admitted a number of claims not confined to Hillsborough were false. Finally he shared his Hillsborough experiences with investigators. None of this would be of public interest were he not a significant public figure who calls out others on matters of trust, frankness and openness. If his references to Hillsborough were generated to gain personal traction, they have backfired spectacularly. Most importantly, however, they have angered and hurt bereaved families and survivors anxiously awaiting the outcome of the ongoing IPCC and criminal investigations.
Prof Phil Scraton
Queen’s University Belfast

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters