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Every person in Liverpool will be insulted by Ed Miliband’s decision to pose with a copy of The Sun newspaper, the city’s mayor Joe Anderson said tonight.

The Labour leader is under fire from politicians in the city after endorsing the newspaper’s campaign to deliver 22m copies to homes across the country for the start of the World Cup.

The campaign has proved hugely controversial with posties across Merseyside, Cheshire and West Lancashire refusing to deliver the special edition.

The city’s mayor Joe Anderson released a strongly worded statement slamming Mr Miliband.

While a number of Liverpool MPs including Steve Rotheram confronted Mr Miliband in London today.

Mr Miliband is understood to have defended his decision saying he was simply showing support for the England squad and not the newspaper – which had ‘This is our England’ as the frontpage headline.

A source said: “He was left in no doubt whatsoever about what they thought. Ed Miliband said he was very, very sorry.”

The Mayor’s statement read: “Like everybody in this City I am really hurt and offended by Ed Milliband’s support for The S*n ‘newspaper’ today. Such clear support for that publication at any time would be wrong but at such a sensitive time is deeply shocking.”

“My city was offended and insulted by the lies and smears peddled by The S*n and their hindrance to our fight for justice is something that will never be forgotten.

“For the leader of the Labour Party to make such an offensive gesture insults not only me but every person in the city.

“This is just another example of how out of touch the politicians in their ivory towers are from the lives of ordinary people.

“It begs the question - were the comments he made after the Hillsborough panel report sincere or just sound bites?”

A spokesman for Mr Rotheram said: “Steve Rotheram and all the Merseyside MPs are fully aware of how many people are hurt by the photos this afternoon.

“They have addressed the situation directly with the leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband.”

A Spokesperson for Ed Miliband said: “Ed Miliband was supporting England's bid to win the world cup.



“He totally understands the anger that the people of Merseyside feel towards The Sun over Hillsborough and fully supports the demand for justice for the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy.”

Councillor Peter Mitchell considering resigning from Labour party

Labour Cllr Peter Mitchell, who represents Croxteth ward, who is the only city councillor to have been at Hillsborough tragedy said he is thinking of resigning from the Labour Party over Ed Miliband’s gaffe.

He said: “Being a survivor of Hillsborough and having been in the cage behind the goal in Leppings Lane I have never been so appalled in my life of having seen the photo of Ed Miliband holding The Sun.

“He should be thoroughly ashamed of his actions. I think he should consider his position as leader of Labour Party.

“There are other ways of winning, supporting the South East than holding a copy of The Sun.

“The moral leadership of the party should be above trying to catch a few votes.”

More news related to this story:

Watch: People burn, bin and post back unwanted copies of The Sun

In pictures: Homes all over Britain show Hillsborough support and tell posties to bin The Sun

Posties take a stand against bosses over delivery of The Sun

Runcorn posties become latest on Merseyside to refuse to deliver The Sun