Kelvin Mackenzie, the former editor of The Sun, "has been suspended by the newspaper after he wrote a column which compared Ross Barkley, a mixed race Everton football player, to a gorilla and made disparaging comments about people in Liverpool," according to David Bond of the FINANCIAL TIMES. News UK, the Rupert Murdoch-controlled company which owns The Sun, said on Friday that it had taken "immediate action" over the article which it said was "wrong, unfunny" and did not reflect the "view of the paper." While the company apologized for "any offense" caused by the piece, News UK "dismissed claims from a number of critics" that Mackenzie's comments were a "racial slur." News UK said in a statement, "The paper was unaware of Ross Barkley's heritage. Mr Mackenzie is currently on holiday and the matter will be fully investigated on his return" (FT, 4/14). The PA reported Everton banned The Sun from Goodison Park and its training ground. A statement on the Everton website said that it had informed The Sun on Friday that it was banned. The statement added, "Whilst we will not dignify any journalist with a response to appalling and indefensible allegations, the newspaper has to know that any attack on this city, either against a much-respected community or individual, is not acceptable" (PA, 4/15).
