The veteran lobby correspondent for the Liverpool Daily Post and Liverpool Echo has been redundant after owners Trinity Mirror North West closed its Westminster operation.
Ian Hernon has worked at Westminster for the past 33 years, spending the last 11 years working for the Echo and Post. Echo editor Alastair Machray said the decision was made with “great reluctance”.
An early day motion by Labour MP for Liverpool Louise Ellman praised Hernon’s ‘reputation for straightforward reportage and political analysis’and raised fears his departure could result in a ‘diminution of Parliamentary reporting”.
The EDM, signed by 28 MPs, said: ‘That this House is concerned at the decision by Trinity Mirror North West to close its Westminster operation and the impact this will have on daily coverage of Parliamentary and constituency issues, the effect of which will result in making Ian Hernon, the most experienced lobby correspondent in Parliament, with 33 years of continuous service, the last 11 for the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo, redundant; recognises his reputation for straightforward reportage and political analysis; and is concerned that this could result in a diminution of Parliamentary reporting.”
Echo editor Alastair Machray said:”Trading conditions in the media industry remain very difficult and like all businesses we have to keep costs under constant review and must continually evolve if we are to remain competitive, efficient and profitable.
“The decision not to keep the role of Liverpool Echo political correspondent at Westminster was made against this background with great reluctance.
“We are putting in train arrangements to ensure that we still have regular contact with our region’s MPs so we can continue to give our readers an excellent service and keep them fully informed about the many important issues with which their elected parliamentary representatives are involved.”
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