Who is Lynda Roughley? Paul Nuttall’s press officer entangled in Hillsborough website controversy won’t be forced to resign
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall was forced to admit that claims he had lost "close personal friends" in the Hillsborough tragedy were not true, sending ripples throughout his party and the community.
His press officer, Lynda Roughley, took the blame for writing the two press releases, offering to quit over what has now been labelled a "disgrace".
So who is Lynda Roughley - a behind-the-scenes press officer suddenly thrust into the media herself?
Who is Lynda Roughley
According to her Linkedin page, Lynda Roughley has worked in the office of Paul Nuttall for eight years, hired in 2009.
The experienced press officer had also worked in the UKIP office for five years before moving permanently into the MEP's office.
Beforehand, she wrote that she was a journalist with the Liverpool Post & Echo for 20 years, from 1971 to 1991.
On the professional networking site, she was endorsed for press releases, media relations and reputation management.
She was recently thrust into the spotlight after taking responsibility for incorrect media statements that were released under the name of Mr Nuttall about the 1989 tragedy that claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans.
What was said?
Paul Nuttall shared a statement on his website in 2011, with the press release saying he was slamming the government decision to block the release of the Hillsborough file.
At the time, the North West of England MEP - who is standing in the Stoke-On-Trent Central by-election - wrote: "Revealing the facts on Hillsborough is hardly a matter of national security, it is a matter of natural justice.
"Without them being made public we will never get to the bottom of that appalling tragedy when 96 Liverpool fans, including close personal friends of mine, lost their lives."
A second statement was shared referring to Mr Nuttall having friends involved in the tragedy was shared in 2012.
But after being confronted in an interview with Radio City News, he denied ever making the statement, saying the claims were wrong.
How did Paul Nuttall respond?
After Paul Nuttall was quizzed directly over the claims, he said: "As a 12 year old boy I travelled to Sheffield that day, as did so many others to enjoy watching the team that I loved.
"From the upper tier of the Leppings Lane End of the Hillsborough Stadium I watched the events of that day unfold with horror.
"Today I was made aware of an article on my website which claimed I had lost people close to me at Hillsborough.
"This was an article that I did not write and did not see prior to is being posted by a member of my staff."
He added that he "of course" took responsibility for the claims written under his name but added that he was "genuinely taken aback" when the claim was brought to his attention.
He said: "(I) am both appalled and very sorry that an impression was given that was not accurate.
"Like everybody connected to the Hillsborough disaster, memories of 15th April 1989 bring me nothing but pain and upset.
"Having now clarified my involvement with those events I intend to focus my energies and efforts on working to represent the people of Stoke on Trent Central in the way in which they deserve."
What now?
Lynda Roughley released a statement, saying: "I am entirely responsible for the website post regarding Paul’s comments about having ‘close friends’ who died at Hillsborough."
She added: "It's me who has made this mistake, and one I feel absolutely terrible about.
"I am frankly mortified at the distress this issue has caused Paul and may have caused to anyone involved with the Hillsborough tragedy.
"I have today offered my resignation, I could not be more sorry."
Her resignation has been turned down.
A spokesman that the press officer had been "a good loyal effective servant for many years", adding: "There's no way Paul's going to accept her resignation. She made an error but she's not going to be chucked under the bus."
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