The police commander whose actions led to the unlawful deaths of 96 fans at Hillsborough could face court again after today's damning inquest verdicts.
David Duckenfield said Liverpool supporters had smashed through a closed gate before kick-off, causing the crush, when in fact he had ordered it to be left open to ease congestion.
It was only 26 years later, having retired on a gold-plated police pension, that he was forced to admit this was the 'direct cause' of the tragedy and that he had lied to save his own skin.
Today the inquest found that his decision had caused or contributed to their deaths - and also meant that they were all unlawfully killed.
In 2000 the families of the dead brought a private manslaughter prosecution against Duckenfield, but a jury failed to reach a verdict. The Crown Prosecution Service could again choose to prosecute him after today's verdicts.
Lies: Match commander David Duckenfield, pictured left on the day after the disaster in 1989 manslaughter trial and right in Warrington last year, lied and said Liverpool supporters had smashed through a closed gate before kick-off - he had ordered it open
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher tours Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday's football ground, on the day after the tragedy, with David Duckenfield circled behind her
Sue Hemming, Head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division at the CPS said: 'Following the inquests' determinations the CPS will formally consider whether any criminal charges should be brought against any individual or corporate body based upon all the available evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
'We would ask that everyone is mindful of the continuing investigations and the potential for future criminal proceedings when reporting or publicly commenting on the inquests' conclusions.'
Decisions on prosecutions are unlikely before the end of the years, sources have said.
Police lied to hide the truth about their catastrophic failings when 96 supporters were crushed to death in what has been called the biggest cover-up in British history.
Within hours of the tragedy South Yorkshire Police had launched a 'black propaganda' campaign to protect their own reputation - and sought to blame drunken fans and those who had perished.
In the days afterwards more than 100 statements taken by South Yorkshire Police were doctored to remove evidence which painted the force in a bad light.
The dead, including children, were given blood tests to try to prove they were drunk and illicit criminal record checks were carried out to ensure blame could be pointed elsewhere. No police officer has ever been convicted of any crime in relation to the events that day.
Bassetlaw Labour MP John Mann said South Yorkshire Police should be disbanded and either re-configured as a new force based on the Sheffield City Region or merged with the West Yorkshire force.
'Nobody should pre-judge ongoing inquiries into the police but, whatever conclusions they reach, the credibility of the institution of South Yorkshire Police has been irreparably damaged,' he said
'It needs a new identity and, more importantly, a new ethos and ethics. South Yorkshire Police should be disbanded.
'There are many hard-working police officers and staff currently working for South Yorkshire Police who have joined in recent years and they deserve a fresh start.'
Here are the key Hillsborough policemen and the roles they played on April 15, 1989 - and in its dark aftermath.
Disgraced: David Duckenfield, 71, pictured outside the inquest, accepted he 'froze' during the 1989 football disaster and then lied to cover up his mistakes
More than 25 years after the worst football disaster in British history, the policeman in charge of the ground was forced to face families of the 96 dead and admitted his mistakes were the 'direct cause' of the tragedy.
In a humbling appearance at the Warrington inquests last year, David Duckenfield, 71, accepted he 'froze' during the 1989 football disaster before he ordered the opening of an exit gate to relieve congestion outside the Leppings Lane turnstile.
He also admitted calling for police dogs instead of ambulances as fans were being crushed to death.
Reports since the 1989 disaster have said
No comments:
Post a Comment