LABOUR councillors at Cheshire West and Chester Council have denied imposing a ban on The Sun newspaper after passing a motion to sever ties with the publication. 

In a full council meeting on Thursday, July 20, a motion was passed by members to 'support all local vendors who choose to stop selling the newspaper' on the basis of its coverage of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

The motion will also ensure that elected members and staff do not give interviews to Sun reporters and that the council does not advertise in the paper.

It will also 'support any reasonable and lawful campaign that raises awareness of proven injustice and/or lies in regard to the events at Hillsborough or elsewhere.'

Cllr Paul Donovan, proposing the motion, said: "Cheshire West and Chester Council praises the dignity and courage displayed by families and deplores the behaviour of some in positions of responsibility and public trust.

"This council recognises and will not forget the hurt and distress caused to the families and friends of the 96 during this period. Not least in part due to lies and slurs published in a British national newspaper."

Cllr Paul Donovan later released a statement denying that the council has banned the paper, but saying the 'bold stance' being taken by labour councillors was to 'simply recognise that local families have called for justice'.

Cllr Richard Beacham, who seconded the motion, told the Guardian: "The council is not banning The Sun. It is removing itself from a relationship with the newspaper. 

“This isn’t a motion about curtailing freedom of speech. This is a motion about truth and justice. It is a statement of intent to disengage with an organisation that lies, that cheats, that spreads fake news.

"It’s about making a stand against the unacceptable, by putting our hands up to The Sun and saying ‘look - you do what you want to do, but we don't want any part in it.’”