We have all now had time to digest the sad findings of the Hillsborough report and it would be a good idea to get some further feedback from the group.
I will first summarise the findings then add my further comments if you can all also add my comments we will then have a greater idea of what the group is feeling about the events of the last couple of days. Key findings:-
- Police carried out criminal record checks on deceased to “impugn reputations”
- Senior officers privately discussed and falsely stated “animalistic behaviour” of falsely accused “drunken marauding fans”
- New evidence suggest dozens survived past 3.15pm coroner’s inquest cut off point
- 116 of the 164 South Yorkshire Police statements were doctored
- South Yorkshire Ambulance Service evidence was misleading
- No evidence to support police account that fans were drunk and aggressive
- Margaret Thatcher expressed concern in the Cabinet that the first inquiry into the disaster contained “devastating criticism of the police”
- Weight placed on blood alcohol levels among the dead was “inappropriate”
- The Sun’s allegations originated from police and a local MP.
What we should have now is a brand new and fair inquest into the sad events and finally justice for the 96 and their bereaved families. JUSTICE FOR THE 96 !!! YNWA !!!
By Kop Post
It was staggering to hear that 41 of the 96 decease could possibly have been saved. The reports that family members upon hearing the news fainted is not surprising given the findings, which proved that the falsehoods and stereotypes applied and painted upon the Liverpool supporters and the City’s citizens were without founding. Each year at the memorial Liverpool as well as Everton fans turn out to support the Fight For Justice and that’s just what the results of this report were about, justice, not victory as such, but justice for the 96, their families and the city of Liverpool.
There will be and is shouts for prosecutions and sentences for those responsible for decision making that day, doctoring statements and the inflammatory nature of the accusations which have caused so much widespread pain and suffering to the bereaved. You live long enough in life and you will eventually know the pain of loss. But, to be driven to distraction on purpose through the lies and innuendo to cover the inadequacies of individuals placed in a position of trust is not just unethical, but an utter disgrace.
Now the shout for justice has reached a crescendo and an inquest is the only just way to move forward. Margaret Aspinall, Trevor Hicks (Chairman of HFSG) Andy Burnham MP, Steve Rotheram MP have been key instigators in the fight for justice exoneration. They have shown leadership, compassion and understanding and in the case of Margaret Aspinall, who lost her son James in the disaster, as in so many family members showed the courage of their convictions when faced with the enormity of a situation which has seen barrier upon barrier placed in the way of fairness.
Margaret Aspinall’s thoughts as reported in the Daily Post says it all.
Asked if any aspect of the 395-page report surprised her, Mrs Aspinall, who chairs the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: “That nearly half of them could have been saved. “That didn't surprise me – it absolutely shocked me. “None of us know which families they are yet. I don't know whether it was James my own son. "When I heard that, right away, I thought 'please God it wasn't my son’.
None of us know. "But we've got to deal with that another day. “Today is about what we've achieved. We've exonerated our fans and I'm so pleased for our city. "Our city takes an awful lot of stick for a lot of things – whingeing Scousers. That's me. “But we've been proven right. We were right all along. "It might not be now, but this will be good for the country as a whole because anything like that will never be able to happen again."
Mrs Aspinall told The Post the 96 victims could rest in peace for the first time. She added: "How could they rest when they see their families not resting? “How could they rest knowing the injustice that has been done? "We've got a bit further to go for them but we'll get to that line. Once we get to that line, they can celebrate up there." Margaret, who believes the disaster was covered-up by orders given from the top echelons of Thatcher’s government, welcomed the apology of David Cameron. She said: “It was a big thing for all of us when you hear the Prime Minister say that and it goes out to the media. “He knows what a cover up it has been. That was the least I expected."
For me is frightening that such a cover-up happened, not just in the days, weeks and months after the tragedy, but decades after. The lies emanated from the highest level and were foisted down on those below and if Margaret Aspinall and others have shown courage, their were many in authority who were hamstrung by their cowardice. The Hillsborough Families Support Group, in consultation with their legal team are in the midst of pushing for an inquest and possible criminal charges.
Trevor Hicks, who lost daughters Vicky aged 15 and Sarah 19 following the meeting said, "This goes beyond Hillsborough. What was exposed on Wednesday was a disgrace to the nation, not just the families... This goes across society and it's important for society at large not to let this rest." The statement on behalf of the HFSG, reads: "The findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel have finally vindicated the families in their 23-year struggle to establish the truth.
"However, after truth must come justice. We have spoken today to our lawyers and taken initial advice. "As the families have always believed and insisted, it was the actions and inaction of those in authority that caused the deaths at Hillsborough on April 15, 1989. "The fans did not contribute to the tragedy. Any blame previously laid at their door has been shown to be part of a despicable conspiracy by those in authority to tarnish the reputations of the dead, the survivors of the disaster and the people of Liverpool. "This conspiracy has been revealed for what it is; a bid to avoid accountability. "Those responsible can avoid accountability no longer."
The HFSG said it had instructed its lawyers to send letters out to "relevant parties" - including the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions - on Monday to "ensure that the machinery of the justice system is put into motion and the families receive a fair hearing".
The HFSG says there are now three avenues which it will "rigorously follow" in the search for justice: new inquests to be held in Liverpool and not Sheffield; a "full and immediate" investigation into criminal prosecutions to be brought against those responsible; and, where appropriate, families will apply for civil proceedings to be re-opened where they may have been dismissed or settled "on a false basis".
The statement also said the families strongly condemn the comments made this week by Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir Norman Bettison, and describes the "monumental" scale of the wrongdoing and cover-up that will leave an "indelible stain on the reputations of those authorities in whom the public implicitly placed their trust."
Last Sunday a complaint against the Chief Constable which emerged following the Hillsborough disclosures was referred to the police watchdog. West Yorkshire Police Authority's Special Committee agreed to record a complaint against Sir Norman and immediately referred it to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for investigation.
In a statement Sir Norman said he was "pleased" to have the matter investigated. Sir Norman was an off-duty South Yorkshire Police inspector when he attended the game and was involved in an internal inquiry held by the force in its aftermath. The damning Hillsborough Independent Panel report revealed a cover-up took place to shift the blame on to the victims and that 41 of the 96 lives lost at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium could have been saved.
The panel found that 164 police statements were altered, 116 of them to remove or alter "unfavourable" comments about the policing of the match and the unfolding disaster. Reviews have been ordered by police authorities in West Yorkshire, into the actions of Sir Norman, and West Midlands, which also conducted an investigation into the disaster. South Yorkshire Police, which still employs 195 officers who were on duty at the ground on the day of the tragedy, said the force would refer itself to the IPCC. Chief constable David Crompton said South Yorkshire Police would consider asking the IPCC whether those involved in the Hillsborough tragedy should face manslaughter investigations.
An inquest can only be the right option.
I would also like to add my heart goes out to Everton for their tribute to the 96 last week. It was a very fitting and moving mark of respect shown by our city neighbours and because the disaster would have affected many Evertonians as well shows again that football is just a game and family always comes first.
ReplyDeleteHere, here – Everton have been top class through the whole campaign. I remember at the FA Cup Semi at Wembley the whole stadium (both reds and blues) sang Justice for the 96 in unison and it was quite a thing to witness.
Deletetimes like this, we all need to unite! especially for the people who are resting in peace!
Deletebut as we all know majority of idiots will still think its something to dig at us. Lets see how much respect we get from Man U!
It's unfortunate that the whole Hillsborough fiasco is clouding over the fact the football team is worst since the tragedy!!
Delete