Boris goes to Liverpool to say sorry

A humbled Boris Johnson will offer a personal apology today for claims that the people of Liverpool were "hooked on grief ".

The Conservative MP and Spectator editor was ordered to travel to the city by leader Michael Howard after an article in the magazine criticised the "mawkish" response to the death of Iraq hostage Ken Bigley.

The article also alleged Liverpudlians had "failed to acknowledge" the part played in the Hillsborough tragedy by drunken Liverpool football fans.

Mr Johnson has already apologised in the Liverpool Daily Post for the "hurt and dismay" caused by the remarks.

Today he is expected to repeat the apology in person. But arrangements for his visit were on the verge of descending into farce, with the Conservatives refusing to release Mr Johnson's itinerary.