Displaying items by tag: Hillsborough

A major new report has confirmed extensive police failings before and after the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster, which killed 97 Liverpool fans - the UK’s worst sporting tragedy. After a decade-long investigation, the Independent Office for Police Conduct found that twelve officers would have faced charges of gross misconduct had they not already retired, leaving families devastated that no one will ever be held accountable. Those who lost loved ones in the crush condemned the outcome as another profound injustice. The report also criticised the initial police review as biased and found further evidence clarifying how police decisions, including the opening of an exit gate, led to the fatal overcrowding. Previous inquests concluded that supporters had been unlawfully killed and discredited early attempts to blame fans. Despite official apologies and admissions of catastrophic failure, no officer has ever been convicted. Families say the proposed ‘Hillsborough Law’ cannot compensate for truth acknowledged without accountability.

On 28 June the Crown Prosecution Service announced that six people will face trial for the Hillsborough disaster - including match commander David Duckenfield and former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison. Duckenfield, 72, faces trial for the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 of the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the FA Cup semi-final in 1989. Bettison, 61, faces four charges of misconduct in a public office, including two of lying about his role to further his career. However, the FA and Sheffield Wednesday FC avoided action, despite the withering assessment of their conduct which emerged in the Hillsborough Independent Panel (HIP) investigation of 2012. Families of the Hillsborough victims broke into applause when they were told Duckenfield faces charges. Margaret Aspinall, whose son James died in the tragedy, said: ‘No-one should have to go through what the families have gone through for 28 years to try to get to the truth.’