News

Awaited report has revealed that the Hillsborough disaster would have resulted in the dismissal of 12 police officers.

After 97 Liverpool fans died in the stadium crush in 1989, former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) chief constable Peter Wright and Ch Supt David Duckenfield are among the officers who would have had cases to answer.

According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report, there were “fundamental failures” and “concerted attempts” to blame fans for the incident.

The law was amended in 2017 to allow for the dismissal of former officers as a result of misconduct.

No-one would be held accountable, according to Nicola Brook, a lawyer at Broudie Jackson Canter representing several bereaved families.

Lauren Poultney, the force’s “litany of failures,” made it “deeply sorry for the pain and heartache” that the force has caused.

She said, “There is nothing I can say right now that can erase the years of pain and suffering I’ve endured as a result.”

The largest independent police misconduct investigation ever conducted in England and Wales came to an end with the release of the IOPC’s report sooner.

The 366-page document’s main findings include:

• In connection with his actions in the wake of the disaster, the late Mr. Wright would have been subject to a case involving 10 alleged police disciplinary code violations.
• Former chief executive of the match, former chief executive David Duckenfield, would have faced 10 alleged breaches for “failures in decision-making and communication in relation to managing the build-up to the game” as well as “a series of key failings of control as the crowd built”
• Eight other SYP officers would have had to address cases involving their roles in the match’s preparation, policing, disaster response, or other efforts to divert the blame afterward.
• Former WMP Assistant Chief Constable Mervyn Jones and Det Ch Supt Michael Foster would have received answers for their roles in leading the investigation into the disaster, including “alleged bias against police and against supporters” and “not intervening in SYP’s account amendment process.”

Lord Justice Taylor concluded the inquiry by pointing out that Ch Supt Duckenfield had “failed to take effective control” as the disaster progressed in his 1990 report. His final report suggested moving to all-seater stadia.

Kathie Cashell, the IOPC deputy director general, claimed that the victims had been let down repeatedly by the disaster.

She said, “What they have endured for more than 36 years is a source of national shame.”

Operation Resolve, a criminal investigation centered on the day of the disaster, was conducted alongside the IOPC investigation.

“The 97 people who were unlawfully killed, their families, survivors of the disaster, and all those who were so deeply affected, have been repeatedly let down,” according to Ms. Cashell before, during, and after the obscene events of that day.

First, South Yorkshire Police’s deep complacency in its preparation for the game, followed by its fundamental failure to control the unfolding disaster, and then the force’s concerted efforts to deflect the blame onto Liverpool supporters, who for nearly four decades caused enormous distress to bereaved families and survivors.

The inexplicably narrow investigation into the disaster conducted by West Midlands Police, which was a missed chance to expose these flaws much sooner, let them down once more.

She added that since 1989, policing had undergone many changes, and that it was important to keep in mind that the forces being investigated were different from those used today.

Hilda Hammond, whose 14-year-old son Philip passed away in the tragedy, expressed her frustration over the inaction of “certain police officers,” adding that the report was “like rubbing salt in the salt in a very old wound”

Former Hillsborough Family Support Group chairman and one of the most influential Hillsborough campaigners, Phil Hammond, died in January.

She claimed that the report “brings it all back” and that it “wouldn’t mind going through that if you were going to have some action at the end of it.”

She described Philip’s passing before the release of the final report as “sweet and bittersweet.”

Because it seems like you were right all along, but we can’t do anything about it, I’m not sure whether I would have wanted him to see it at all.

She claimed that it was “cruel” and “quite a waste of effort.”

She continued, “I just don’t know what the purpose was or why I spent so much money.”

People deserve more than a 400-page report, according to Mike Benbow, who was the investigation’s lead for five years.

Simply put, it doesn’t seem appropriate. I’ve been told that a more in-depth report will be released later, but I hope the IOPC will make a change.

Twelve police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings over the Hillsborough disaster, a long-awaited report has found.

Former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) chief constable Peter Wright and Ch Supt David Duckenfield are among the officers who would have had cases to answer after 97 Liverpool fans died in the 1989 stadium crush.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report found there had been “fundamental failures” and “concerted efforts” to blame fans in the aftermath.

The law was changed in 2017 to mean retired officers would now face misconduct charges, but it cannot be applied retrospectively.

Nicola Brook, a solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter acting for several bereaved families, said it was a “bitter injustice” that no-one would be held to account.

Current South Yorkshire Police chief constable Lauren Poultney said she was “deeply sorry for the pain and heartbreak caused” by the force’s “litany of failures”.

“There is nothing I can say today which can take away the years of pain and hurt caused by the force I now lead,” she said.

The publication of the IOPC’s report earlier marks the conclusion of the largest independent police misconduct investigation ever carried out in England and Wales.

Key findings of the 366-page document include:

• The late Mr Wright would have faced a case over 10 alleged breaches of the Police Disciplinary Code regarding his actions in the aftermath of the disaster
• Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield, who was match commander, would have faced 10 alleged breaches for “failures in decision making and communication in relation to managing the build-up to the game” as well as a “series of key failings of control as the crowd built”
• Eight other SYP officers would have had cases to answer over their roles in preparing for and policing the match, their handling of the disaster response or their parts in attempts to deflect the blame afterwards
• Former WMP Assistant Chief Constable Mervyn Jones and Det Ch Supt Michael Foster would have had cases to answer over their roles in leading the investigation into the disaster, including for “alleged bias towards police and against supporters” and “not intervening in SYP’s account amendment process”

Mr Duckenfield, 81, was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter by a jury in 2019.

In his 1990 report at the conclusion of the inquiry, Lord Justice Taylor found Ch Supt Duckenfield had “failed to take effective control” as the disaster unfolded. His final report recommended a move to all-seater stadia.

IOPC deputy director general Kathie Cashell said those affected by the disaster had been repeatedly let down.

“What they have had to endure over more than 36 years is a source of national shame,” she said.

The IOPC investigation ran alongside Operation Resolve, a criminal inquiry focused on the day of the disaster.

Ms Cashell said: “The 97 people who were unlawfully killed, their families, survivors of the disaster and all those so deeply affected, have been repeatedly let down – before, during and after the horrific events of that day.

“First by the deep complacency of South Yorkshire Police in its preparation for the match, followed by its fundamental failure to grip the disaster as it unfolded, and then through the force’s concerted efforts to deflect the blame onto the Liverpool supporters, which caused enormous distress to bereaved families and survivors for nearly four decades.

“They were let down again by the inexplicably narrow investigation into the disaster conducted by West Midlands Police, which was a missed opportunity to bring these failings to light much sooner.”

She added it was important to remember the forces investigated were different to those today and policing had seen many changes since 1989.

Hilda Hammond, whose 14-year-old son, Philip, died in the tragedy described her frustration over the lack of action taken against “certain police officers”, adding the report was “like rubbing salt in a very old wound”.

Mrs Hammond’s husband Phil was former chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group and one of the leading Hillsborough campaigners but he died in January.

She told the BBC the report “brings it all back” and “starts you thinking you wouldn’t mind going through that if you were going to have some action at the end of it.”

She said it was “sweet and bittersweet” that Philip had died before the final report was published.

“I don’t know whether I would have wanted him to see it really, because it’s like you were right all along, but we can’t do anything about it.

She said she thinks it was “cruel” and “quite a fruitless exercise”.

“I just don’t know what the purpose was or what the reason was to spend so much money,” she added.

Mike Benbow, who previously led the investigation for five years, said: “After 13 years, people deserve more than a 400-page report.”

“It just doesn’t seem right. I’m told there will be a more detailed report later on but I hope that the IOPC reconsider…”

Twelve police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings over the Hillsborough disaster, a long-awaited report has found.

Former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) chief constable Peter Wright and Ch Supt David Duckenfield are among the officers who would have had cases to answer after 97 Liverpool fans died in the 1989 stadium crush.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report found there had been “fundamental failures” and “concerted efforts” to blame fans in the aftermath.

The law was changed in 2017 to mean retired officers would now face misconduct charges, but it cannot be applied retrospectively.

Nicola Brook, a solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter acting for several bereaved families, said it was a “bitter injustice” that no-one would be held to account.

Current South Yorkshire Police chief constable Lauren Poultney said she was “deeply sorry for the pain and heartbreak caused” by the force’s “litany of failures”.

“There is nothing I can say today which can take away the years of pain and hurt caused by the force I now lead,” she said.

The publication of the IOPC’s report earlier marks the conclusion of the largest independent police misconduct investigation ever carried out in England and Wales.

Key findings of the 366-page document include:

• The late Mr Wright would have faced a case over 10 alleged breaches of the Police Disciplinary Code regarding his actions in the aftermath of the disaster
• Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield, who was match commander, would have faced 10 alleged breaches for “failures in decision making and communication in relation to managing the build-up to the game” as well as a “series of key failings of control as the crowd built”
• Eight other SYP officers would have had cases to answer over their roles in preparing for and policing the match, their handling of the disaster response or their parts in attempts to deflect the blame afterwards
• Former WMP Assistant Chief Constable Mervyn Jones and Det Ch Supt Michael Foster would have had cases to answer over their roles in leading the investigation into the disaster, including for “alleged bias towards police and against supporters” and “not intervening in SYP’s account amendment process”

Mr Duckenfield, 81, was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter by a jury in 2019.

In his 1990 report at the conclusion of the inquiry, Lord Justice Taylor found Ch Supt Duckenfield had “failed to take effective control” as the disaster unfolded. His final report recommended a move to all-seater stadia.

IOPC deputy director general Kathie Cashell said those affected by the disaster had been repeatedly let down.

“What they have had to endure over more than 36 years is a source of national shame,” she said.

The IOPC investigation ran alongside Operation Resolve, a criminal inquiry focused on the day of the disaster.

Ms Cashell said: “The 97 people who were unlawfully killed, their families, survivors of the disaster and all those so deeply affected, have been repeatedly let down – before, during and after the horrific events of that day.

“First by the deep complacency of South Yorkshire Police in its preparation for the match, followed by its fundamental failure to grip the disaster as it unfolded, and then through the force’s concerted efforts to deflect the blame onto the Liverpool supporters, which caused enormous distress to bereaved families and survivors for nearly four decades.

“They were let down again by the inexplicably narrow investigation into the disaster conducted by West Midlands Police, which was a missed opportunity to bring these failings to light much sooner.”

She added it was important to remember the forces investigated were different to those today and policing had seen many changes since 1989.

Hilda Hammond, whose 14-year-old son, Philip, died in the tragedy described her frustration over the lack of action taken against “certain police officers”, adding the report was “like rubbing salt in a very old wound”.

Mrs Hammond’s husband Phil was former chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group and one of the leading Hillsborough campaigners but he died in January.

She told the BBC the report “brings it all back” and “starts you thinking you wouldn’t mind going through that if you were going to have some action at the end of it.”

She said it was “sweet and bittersweet” that Philip had died before the final report was published.

“I don’t know whether I would have wanted him to see it really, because it’s like you were right all along, but we can’t do anything about it.

She said she thinks it was “cruel” and “quite a fruitless exercise”.

“I just don’t know what the purpose was or what the reason was to spend so much money,” she added.

Mike Benbow, who previously led the investigation for five years, said: “After 13 years, people deserve more than a 400-page report.”

“It just doesn’t seem right. I’m told there will be a more detailed report later on but I hope that the IOPC reconsider…”