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.