Hillsborough Disaster; At last the truth - now for justice

Wednesday 12 September 2012

by Paddy McGuffin, Home Affairs Reporter

Police and emergency services made "strenuous attempts" to smear innocent Liverpool fans over the Hillsborough disaster, an independent investigation into the 1989 tragedy found yesterday. In its damning report the Hillsborough Independent Panel found that both South Yorkshire Police (SYP) and emergency services doctored statements in an attempt to cover up one of Britain's worst peacetime disasters.

Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in a crush at Hillsborough stadium, Sheffield, on April 15 1989 where their team were meeting Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. The report found the ground failed to meet minimum safety standards and deficiencies "were well known." The panel said emergency services did not fully implement a major incident plan, rescue attempts were held back by a failure of leadership and co-ordination and there was a delay in response.

False claims about the fans' behaviour, published most infamously in the Sun, originated from "a Sheffield
press agency, senior SYP officers, an SYP Police Federation spokesman and a local MP." It also found that officers had carried out background checks on those who died in an attempt to "impugn the reputations of the deceased." There was also strong criticism of Lord Taylor's inquiry into the tragedy and the coroner who carried out the inquests. The panel said 41 people could have survived beyond the 3.15pm cut-off point at which the coroner claimed all the victims had died. Evidence showed tests were carried out on all those who died to find out whether they were drunk - even children.

Bishop of Liverpool James Jones, who chaired the panel, said: "The documents disclosed to and analysed by the panel show that the tragedy should never have happened. "There were clear operational failures in response to the disaster and strenuous attempts to deflect the blame onto the fans." PM David Cameron and opposition leader Ed Miliband apologised for the failures of successive governments. Mr Cameron said that Attorney General Dominic Grieve will decide whether to apply to the High Court to quash the original, flawed inquest and order a new one.  Mr Miliband said the report revealed the original inquest was "hopelessly inadequate" and called on the Attorney General to make a speedy decision.

Labour MP Andy Burnham - who established the independent panel - said there had been a "catalogue of negligence, appalling failure and sheer mendacity" and "a monumental cover-up and a sickening campaign of vilification against victims, grieving families, traumatised survivors and the city in shock." Steve Rotheram, MP for Liverpool Walton, said: "Finally we have the undeniable truth which means we now know that many innocent people could and should have been saved. "There was a deliberate attempt to shift the blame," he added. "It is not about retribution, it is about responsibility."

Sheila Coleman of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign welcomed Mr Cameron's apology. She said: "It is an acknowledgement that Liverpool, the bereaved families and the fans have been telling the truth for years and yet have been considered liars." Ms Coleman said that the inquests must be quashed and that criminal charges should be brought.

Source: The Morning Star 13-09-2012

Statement Editorial Board The Red Banner

We welcome the report of the new inquiry into the Hillsborough Disaster and hope that the victims and the families finally will get the justice they deserve. The question remains why it took 23 years for the truth to come out. We believe that this has something to do with the relationship between former Prime Minister Thatcher and the South Yorkshire Police. The South Yorkshire Police helped Thatcher win a victory over the Miners during the strike of 1984. They created a civil war situation in the coalfield and behaved as a paramilitary force. When the Hillsborough Disaster happened and it turned out the South Yorkshire Police were to blame for the tragedy they called in old favours from Thatcher. This is how it works in capitalism, I scratch your back, you scratch mine. She allowed the cover up and the tactic of blaming the victims. Despite her age she should stand in the dock next to the responsible officers of the South Yorkshire Police.