Officers would have faced misconduct over Hillsborough
Judith Moritz ,Special Correspondent ,
Lynette Horsburgh ,North Westand
Sarah Spina-Matthews ,North West
Twelve police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings over the Hillsborough disaster, a long-awaited
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.
Bereaved families said they "will never get justice" as the law at the time means no officers will face proceedings
because they had all retired before investigations began in 2012.
The law was changed in 2017 to mean retired officers would now face misconduct charges, but it cannot be applied
At a press conference held at solicitors Broudie Jackson Canter's office who represent several bereaved families,
Charlotte Hennessy, whose father Jimmy died in the tragedy, gave her reaction to the report.
"Nobody's ever going to go to prison for killing them so we'll never get justice and we knew that."
Instead, she said the report confirmed survivors' testimony.
Ms Hennessy said: "We will never truly know the full extent of South Yorkshire Police force's deception, but there is no
hiding, there is no destroying, and there is no way to cover up that they failed their duties and then they sought to
Nicola Brook, a solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter said it was a "bitter injustice" no-one would be held to account.
"This outcome may vindicate the bereaved families and survivors who have fought for decades to expose the truth - but it
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
Ms Brook said the IOPC report "exposes a system that has allowed officers to simply walk away, retiring without
scrutiny, sanction or consequence for failing to meet the standards the public has every right to expect".
The report also found a thirteenth, now-retired officer, from South Yorkshire Police, would have faced misconduct
Its publication marks the conclusion of the largest independent police misconduct investigation ever carried out in
It is understood the families of the fans, who died as a result of the crush at the FA Cup semi-final match between
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's home stadium, received copies of the report on Monday.
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"
It upheld or found misconduct cases in 92 complaints
327 statements from officers - 100 more than previously uncovered - were found to have been amended
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 watchdog's investigation, which included work done to prepare evidence for inquests and
prosecutions, cost £88m, while Operation Resolve cost an additional £65m.
The operation led to six people facing criminal charges, including Mr Duckenfield and three other police officers.
But only former secretary of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, Graham Mackrell, was ever convicted over 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
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the report served as a "stark reminder of one of the most significant failings in
policing the country has ever seen".
She paid tribute the families and survivors of the disaster, and said their "tireless campaigning" had led to creation
of the Hillsborough Law earlier this year, which introduces a legal duty of candour for all public officials.
At the press conference, other bereaved family members gave their reaction to the report's findings.
Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James in the disaster, told the press conference knowing 12 police
officers would have had a case to answer for gross misconduct, but no action will be taken said it "really makes you
She rejects the argument the report was a waste of money.
"It is going to change things for other people," she said, but added she accepts it won't change things for families
affected by Hillsborough.
Ms Aspinall described how the tragedy led to changes in rules around seating at football games.
"So much good has been done out of the 97," she explained. "This will hopefully be the final hurdle."
She added then maybe the families will be able to have some peace.
Steve Kelly, whose brother Michael died at Hillsborough, said the findings must make it clear that processes around
police misconduct have to change.
"No one should be beaten by the passage of time. We should have justice and accountability at least within a person's
Sue Roberts, whose brother Graham died aged 24, added although she was frustrated, she is happy that officers have now
been named in the report.
When asked if they would accept the opportunity to speak with the officers who the report said would face misconduct
allegations, Ms Roberts said: "Of course we would.
"We just want to right the wrongs of the past."
Hilda Hammond, whose 14-year-old son, Philip, died in the tragedy described to the BBC 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
"We've said from the beginning what was the truth, and it's too late now to do anything about it so all the police
officers cannot be disciplined, even if they were still alive or retired."
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
"It just doesn't seem right. I'm told there will be a more detailed report later on but I hope that the IOPC
He added: "I don't understand the logic of that because clearly criminal proceedings finished a long time ago and it's
been nearly five years producing the reports."
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