City's new PR head on six-month contract.

LIVERPOOL City Council have appointed a new senior "spin doctor".

Jon Brown, managing director of Factory Communications, is now also interim director of communications on a parttime basis for six months.

During that period the council will decide whether to appoint a permanent communications director.

The post has been vacant since former spin doctor Matt Finnegan left the council in 2006 in the wake of a scandal over allegations Cllr Mike Storey encouraged him to undermine then chief executive Sir David Henshaw.

Council chief executive Colin Hilton said: "Liverpool is going through a critically important period and we believe it is essential to have some expertise on hand to help us manage communications issues during this time. Jon will be a valuable addition to our already excellent communications team here at the council."

Mr Brown, former deputy editor of the Liverpool Echo, founded Factory Communications 18 months ago with wife Jane Wolstenholme, former editor of the Liverpool Daily Post.

Factory now has eight staff and has a number of clients including ACC Liverpool, Heathcotes restaurants, Smoke free Manchester, South Central Strategic Health Authority, Partnership for Learning, Royal Court Theatre, and energy company EON.

Mr Brown will continue to work for these clients while working for the council.

He said: "I'm delighted to be taking up what will be a rewarding role at what is clearly a very exciting time for the city."

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