Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Government ministers and civil servants scrambled to prevent the collapse of Britain's second biggest police force and keep Sir James in post.
The trouble originated from remarks in 1986 when Anderton had claimed that the victims of AIDS were in a 'human cesspool of their own making'.
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Last week activist Peter Tatchell once again slammed GMP for their failure to issue a proper apology for the historical action of Manchester's police force against the LGBTQ+ community, spanning decades, which included police raids on gay-led venues as well as Anderton's comments. We also had something to say about it.
Welcome to Unmissable, our weekly digest of the stories we think you might have missed.
Peter Tatchell is a sometimes controversial figure, but what he was asking for in his press release was a proper apology, and our LGBTQ writer Adam Maidment thinks he has a point.
In a wide ranging comment piece he takes on the issue saying - 'As individuals, we are taught from an early age to say sorry when we have done or said something wrong or done something unacceptable.'
'We are taught that there is great benefit in acknowledging and accepting a mistake. It allows us to move on, it allows us to rebuild relationships.'
It's a complex issue about how much those working at GMP now should have to say about the past mistakes. Adam's is a thoughtful measured piece well worth your time
In another feisty comment piece, Jo Timan our politics writer addressed the growing row between Sadiq Khan and presumably anyone outside of the North Circular about funding.
We also published further revelations about the activities of convicted sex offender Todros Grynhaus, told the twisty tale of 'Rochdale's Chernobyl' and looked into the controversial issue of surge pricing in Greater Manchester's bars.
GMP's chief constable said an apology over the force's historical 'gay witch-hunts' would make 'little or no difference', but Adam Maidment disagrees. Read it HERE.
Of course, the mayor will always make the case for the city he represents - as he should. But his 'us-versus-them' rhetoric is unhelpful says Jo Timan. Read it HERE.
Last week the Manchester Evening News revealed that a paedophile was living just 24 steps from a playground. Now it has emerged that a house his company owns next door is being rented out on sites such as Airbnb and Booking.com - and the listings are aimed at families. Read it HERE.
The factory has been vacant for years, but locals are worried it could become a health and safety risk. George Lythgoe investigates what the future holds for the old Turner Brothers Asbestos factory. Read it HERE.
The bar insists it is 'common with the entire industry' - but Sacha Lord feels it 'doesn't sit right'. Read it HERE.
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