Hillsborough families apply for fresh inquests

The Hillsborough Families Support Group met yesterday at Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield ground to discuss the next steps after the revelations published last week by the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

Last week’s report revealed evidence that 41 people “had the potential to survive” after the time of 3.15pm. This contradicts previous inquest findings that all those who died at the Sheffield football stadium were dead or brain-dead by 3.15pm.

The report also revealed evidence of a police cover-up of events around the tragedy with 116 out of 164 police statements altered to change comment that was critical of South Yorkshire police.

Following a three-and-a-half hour meeting, Trevor Hicks and Margaret Aspinall (pictured), who both lost children in the 1989 disaster, read a statement to the media.

Those responsible can avoid accountability no longer. Hillsborough Families Support Group

The statement said: “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.”

Avenues for justice

There are three avenues for justice that will now be explored, the group said. These are:

• The previous inquests to be over-turned and new inquests to be held in Liverpool.
• A “full and immediate” investigation into criminal prosecutions to be brought against those responsible.
• Where appropriate, civil proceedings to be re-opened where they may have been dismissed or settled “on a false basis”.

Last week, in response to the Hillsborough report, Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC said: “As I have promised, I will now begin my consideration of whether there is evidence sufficient to support an application to the High Court for any fresh inquests into the deaths of Hillsborough victims.

“In the interests of justice, and mindful of what has been endured by so many people since 1989, I will do this as quickly as I can. However the process will inevitably take some time.”