Hillsborough: Six suspects face criminal charges over disaster, prosecutors announce

Six suspects face trial after being charged in connection with the Hillsborough disaster 28 years on.

Families of the 96 men, women and children killed at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final gathered in Warrington on Wednesday morning to hear the announcement.

They were informed of the decisions by Sue Hemming, the head of special crime at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Operation Resolve, which investigated the causes of the disaster, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) passed files of evidence relating to 23 suspects, including individuals and organisations, to the CPS earlier this year.

Last year, new inquests found the 96 were unlawfully killed in the disaster, which happened at the match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest.

The jury also identified errors in the police planning and response, the actions of commanding officers, the safety certification of the ground, the management of the stadium by Sheffield Wednesday FC and the response by the ambulance service. It also found there were dangerous features in the stadium design.

The original inquest in 1991 ruled that the deaths were accidental, but those verdicts were quashed following an independent report that concluded a major cover-up had taken place to shift the blame for the disaster onto the victims.

Following the disaster on April 15 1989, it is alleged that officers from South Yorkshire Police conspired to blame the fans for the tragedy with statements being changed and evidence hidden.

Police at the time briefed the media that the crush in the Leppings Lane end had been caused by drunken, ticketless fans forcing the gates open in order to gain access to the ground.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/hillsborough-six-suspects-face-criminal-101959880.html

Following the disaster on April 15 1989, it is alleged that officers from South Yorkshire Police conspired to blame the fans for the tragedy with statements being changed and evidence hidden.

That's unforgiveable, IMO.

David Duckenfield: why I lied about Hillsborough.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/13/david-duckenfield-why-i-lied-about-hillsborough

He has the nerve to paint himself as a victim....maybe he shouldn't have told so many lies, for so long?

Remembering when Tony Blair's government didn't order an inquiry into Hillsborough 'because of links to Rupert Murdoch'.

Tony Blair’s refusal to order an inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster has been highlighted once more, after criminal charges were brought against six individuals connected with the tragedy.

It was announced today that six individuals have been charged over the incident. The  most high-profile of those being the then South Yorkshire Police match commander David Duckenfield, who has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 of the 96 Liverpool FC fans who died at the FA Cup semi-final.

The decision follows decades of a tireless commitment to seek out the truth – and, ultimately, hold those responsible to account – by campaigners who have long felt that successive governments ignored their pleas.

But the renewed focus on the disaster has led some to recall how the Blair Government refused to order an inquiry into the tragedy – reportedly in part because of the party’s close links to Rupert Murdoch.

In June 1997, a month after coming to power, the Labour Government ordered a fresh inquiry into the disaster by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith.

Jack Straw, the then Home Secretary, felt there was no need for a new inquiry, but that a judge should give such a ruling the necessary independent authority.

Mr Blair reportedly wrote in response to Mr Straw’s memo: “Why? What is the point.”

Tony Blair’s refusal to order an inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster has been highlighted once more, after criminal charges were brought against six individuals connected with the tragedy.

It was announced today that six individuals have been charged over the incident. The  most high-profile of those being the then South Yorkshire Police match commander David Duckenfield, who has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 of the 96 Liverpool FC fans who died at the FA Cup semi-final.

The decision follows decades of a tireless commitment to seek out the truth – and, ultimately, hold those responsible to account – by campaigners who have long felt that successive governments ignored their pleas.

But the renewed focus on the disaster has led some to recall how the Blair Government refused to order an inquiry into the tragedy – reportedly in part because of the party’s close links to Rupert Murdoch.

In June 1997, a month after coming to power, the Labour Government ordered a fresh inquiry into the disaster by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith.

Jack Straw, the then Home Secretary, felt there was no need for a new inquiry, but that a judge should give such a ruling the necessary independent authority.

Mr Blair reportedly wrote in response to Mr Straw’s memo: “Why? What is the point.”

More at link,   https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tony-blairs-refusal-order-hillsborough-inquiry-highlighted-141415587.html

Jack Straw, the then Home Secretary, felt there was no need for a new inquiry, but that a judge should give such a ruling the necessary independent authority.

Mr Blair reportedly wrote in response to Mr Straw’s memo: “Why? What is the point.”

Tony Blair’s refusal to order an inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster has been highlighted once more, after criminal charges were brought against six individuals connected with the tragedy.

Is there anything wicked and wrong that doesn't have Blair's pawprints on it? Let us not forget, covering buildings in plastic was his idea, too.

Maybe that old poster wasn't so wide of the mark after all....