A legal representative for Jenni and Trevor Hicks said it was "interesting" the force had changed its position since the family launched its campaign
Sarah and Victoria Hicks, who died in the Hillsborough disaster
Sarah and Victoria Hicks, who died in the Hillsborough disaster
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The police force which blamed Liverpool fans to cover its own mistakes at Hillsborough has pledged to work with the Hicks family in their campaign to correct the record about their daughters' deaths. Jenni and Trevor Hicks are seeking formal recognition that their daughters, Sarah and Victoria, did not lose consciousness within 30 seconds and die shortly after, as South Yorkshire Police claimed for years, but that they actually suffered for significantly longer.
The "30-second rule" was relied upon in civil litigations following Hillsborough to argue that victims lost consciousness almost immediately and therefore didn't suffer. But overwhelming evidence from subsequent investigations, including a second set of inquests following the Hillsborough Independent Panel, found many victims were conscious at least half an hour later.
The record can be corrected if South Yorkshire Police, the heavily-criticised force who fed a false narrative to the media in a bid to cover up its own mistakes, agree to a fresh hearing and read a revised statement in open court. The force was invited to attend the launch of the "Hicks' Rule" campaign in parliament on Monday, but declined the invitation.
South Yorkshire Police apologised to the family earlier this week, but Jenni and former husband Trevor said the refusal to correct the record was "adding insult to injury". The force on Wednesday published a new statement from Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, who said the force had contacted the Hicks to discuss how to correct the record.
Chief Constable Poultney said: "It is understandable that Hillsborough families, the general public, the media, and politicians have questions about why South Yorkshire Police has not, thus far, consented to a statement in open court (SIOC) to support Mr and Mrs Hicks in their fight to achieve a sense of justice.
"To my knowledge, there is no legislation enabling the use of a SIOC in this type of matter, and a SIOC would not overturn the House of Lords' judgement, or amend the records. However, my commitment remains that, under my leadership, South Yorkshire Police will do everything in our power to support the Hillsborough families, who have endured unimaginable levels of heartbreak and suffering in the 36 years since the disaster.
"Furthermore, in keeping with this promise, the force has made contact with Mr and Mrs Hicks' legal representatives to try to understand how they envision a SIOC could be used to correct the records held by the House of Lords. I truly hope that a viable route will be found and give my assurances that I support their campaign to correct the records."
Hillsborough justice campaigners, Trevor and Jenni Hicks
Hillsborough justice campaigners, Trevor and Jenni Hicks
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In response, Nia Williams, partner at Saunders Law and solicitor for the Hicks, said it was "interesting" that the force appeared to have changed its position since the campaign launch. Ms Williams said: "We have had ongoing discussions with SYP since November 2023 and we have already set out the simplest way to correct the record but that was refused. It is interesting that only after our event this week in the House of Lords, that the force has agreed to consider taking this forward.
"We are confident that there is a simple and swift way forward. It has been done many times previously, and that is through a statement in open court. We are very much looking forward to working with South Yorkshire Police and we will prepare a consent order for their consideration, which could be lodged at the High Court at the earliest opportunity."
The Hicks campaign has received support from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, former prime minister Theresa May and the Independent Public Advocate Cindy Butts. Mr Burnham said: "Why are these parents still in this place having to argue about the truth about what happened to their daughters?
"You can't help but think that we still have a problematic issue with truth in this country. How can any public body, particularly a police force, allow a false public record? Surely now we've got to the point when they should be immediately writing to Trevor and Jenni to say they will testify in open court to correct it. Otherwise, the words are hollow."
The current court record says Sarah, 19, and Victoria, 15, had experienced "swift and sudden [deaths] as shown by the medical evidence". That still stands as public record - but medical and expert evidence has since demonstrated this to be false.
Multiple witnesses reported that Victoria, the only female child victim of the crush, was crying and in distress for some time, while Sarah was described as intensively panicked about the fate of her sister. It is now known that Victoria and Sarah may have survived until 3.45pm and 3.39pm respectively – an hour after the fatal crush started.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, lead counsel for the Hicks, said: "South Yorkshire Police have now given an apology to Jenni and Trevor, and they say that they want to help the family achieve 'a sense of justice'. Then why not match those laudable words with concrete action? They should agree to jointly apply, with Trevor and Jenni, for a statement in open court which can finally correct the decades-old flawed public record."