Hillsborough families react to damning report into conduct of senior police officers during and in the aftermath of the 1989 disaster
Charlotte Hennessy (left), the daughter of 29-year-old Jimmy Hennessy, and Margaret Aspinall, the mother of 18-year-old James Aspinall, during a press conference at the offices of law firm Broudie Jackson Canter in Liverpool,
Charlotte Hennessy (left), the daughter of 29-year-old Jimmy Hennessy, and Margaret Aspinall, the mother of 18-year-old James Aspinall, during a press conference at the offices of law firm Broudie Jackson Canter in Liverpool,
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The Hillsborough families today blasted senior police officers from two forces for their failures and lies that led to 97 Liverpool fans being unlawfully killed and stated: "They killed people and then blamed their mates. It doesn't get any worse."
Earlier today, the Independent Office for Police Conduct released a huge report into the policing of the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, which also looked at the conduct of officers from both South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The report concluded that South Yorkshire Police fundamentally failed in its planning for the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest - and in how it dealt with traumatised supporters and families who were desperately searching for their loved ones before officers attempted to deflect blame for the disaster onto Reds supporters.
The same report also heaped criticism on West Midlands Police for a "wholly unsatisfactory" investigation into the disaster amid allegations of bias from two former senior officers.
In total, the IOPC report states that 12 former senior officers across both forces would have had gross misconduct cases to answer were they still serving in the police today. This includes former South Yorkshire Police commander David Duckinfield and former Merseyside Chief Constable Norman Bettison - who is now facing calls to be stripped of his knighthood and Queen's Police medal.
During a powerful and emotional press conference held at the offices of law firm Broudie Jackson Canter today in Liverpool today, four members of the Hillsborough families spoke of their anguish, their anger and their utter determination to ensure no one else suffers through the lies and injustices they faced through their campaigning for a new Hillsborough Law, which is making its way through Parliament.
Steve Kelly, the brother of 38-year-old Michael Kelly, and Sue Roberts, the sister of 24-year-old Graham Roberts, during a press conference at the offices of law firm Broudie Jackson Canter in Liverpool
Steve Kelly, the brother of 38-year-old Michael Kelly, and Sue Roberts, the sister of 24-year-old Graham Roberts, during a press conference at the offices of law firm Broudie Jackson Canter in Liverpool
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In a passionate opening statement, Charlotte Hennessy, who was just six-years-old when her dad James was killed in Sheffield, paid tribute to those who died, those who survived and hit out at the actions of senior police figures in their attempts to blame Liverpool supporters.
She told the gathered press: "We would like to start by acknowledging the innocent victims, our loved ones, who were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough in 1989 due to the gross negligent manslaughter of multiple senior South Yorkshire Police officers and acknowledge the bravery of Liverpool supporters who, despite their own injury and trauma, assisted to save lives have stood on their truth, have assisted families, and all investigations, inquiries, inquests, and reports at every opportunity.
"They were wrongly blamed by the people who should have protected them, who should have kept them safe and assisted them in their time of need. We commend your bravery and we will never be able to thank you enough.
"We would like to thank the IOPC for their detailed and comprehensive support as predicted, it confirms what families and survivors knew all along.
"David Duckenfield is a liar. His first thought, whilst he stood over Liverpool fans watching them fight for their lives, was to blame them and protect himself.
"Despite multiple opportunities over the course of 25 years, up until he gave evidence at the fresh inquests, he chose to remain silent and watch as we fought for justice, truth and accountability. We made it clear following the inquest and we reiterate again today that we do not accept his apology."
She added: "We welcome the conclusion in relation to the 12 senior offices and one police constable that their actions, or lack of them, amounts to a case to answer for gross misconduct.
"Many remind us that Hillsborough was 36 years ago, but nobody is more acutely aware of that than those who lost loved ones and those who survived. We will never truly know the full extent of South Yorkshire police forces deception, but there is no hiding."
Asked about the language used in the report, Ms Hennessy replied: "It doesn't matter what words are used, their actions are there for everyone to see. They unlawfully killed 97 people and then blamed their mates for killing them. It doesn't get any worse than that."
Asked about the toll that the 36-year campaign for truth and justice has taken on the families, Steve Kelly, whose brother Michael was unlawfully killed at Hillsborough, said: "The toll that it takes on you comes in waves, because Hillsborough is in the news one minute, then it's not.
(L-r) Solicitor Nicola Brook, Hillsborough family members Charlotte Hennessy, Margaret Aspinall, Steve Kelly and Sue Roberts
(L-r) Solicitor Nicola Brook, Hillsborough family members Charlotte Hennessy, Margaret Aspinall, Steve Kelly and Sue Roberts
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"So you're constantly going through that for 36 years - it just leaves you empty at times. Days like today are stressful but you have to drag yourself up by your boots and we will and we keep trying to send that message out, this cannot happen again and we need sanctions in place so that it doesn't. But it's been a long, long difficult road."
Sue Roberts, whose brother Graham was killed at Hillsborough added: "I don't believe we will ever get to the full truth of Hillsborough. But what we know now is bad enough."
All the family members speaking today agreed that it is now essential that a new Hillsborough Law - also known as the Public Advocate (Accountability Bill) makes its way through Parliament to prevent other families facing the same devastating battle for truth and justice.
The bill - which is making its way through the Committee stage in the House of Commons - will bring in a legally-bound duty of candour forcing public officials to tell the truth, while also creating a level playing field of legal funding for families and loved ones appearing at inquests and inquiries.
Speaking about the new law, Margaret Aspinall, so long the powerful face of the Hillsborough campaigners, who lost her son James at the age of just 18 said: " It really makes you very, very angry when you think of all of those 97 who died, unlawfully killed, and yet not one person's being held to account. To me, that's a disgrace.
"I think this is why it's so important to have a public advocate bill. You know, the Hillsborough Law. We're not here on behalf of Hillsborough, we're all sitting here to change things for the good of the country, for the good of the nation.
"But what we be campaigned for is to change things for the good of the nation and to me, that's what this is all about."