A long-awaited report has revealed that twelve police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings in connection with the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans tragically died. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found “fundamental failures” and “concerted efforts” to shift blame onto fans in the aftermath of the stadium crush.
Among those identified were former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) chief constable Peter Wright and Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, who served as match commander. The IOPC report upheld or found misconduct cases in 92 complaints. However, current laws prevent any of the officers from facing disciplinary action, as all had retired before investigations commenced in 2012. A legal change in 2017 now allows retired officers to face misconduct charges, but it cannot be applied retrospectively.
Millenium TV has learned that solicitors representing several bereaved families have expressed profound disappointment. Nicola Brook, a solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter, described the situation as a “bitter injustice,” highlighting a system that “allowed officers to simply walk away, retiring without scrutiny, sanction or consequence.”
Current South Yorkshire Police chief constable Lauren Poultney issued a statement, conveying her “deep regret for the pain and heartbreak caused” by the force’s “litany of failures.” She acknowledged that “nothing I can say today can take away the years of pain and hurt.”
The 366-page document, which marks the conclusion of England and Wales’s largest independent police misconduct investigation, detailed specific failings. The late Mr. Wright would have faced a case for 10 alleged breaches of the Police Disciplinary Code related to his actions post-disaster. Ch Supt David Duckenfield would have faced 10 alleged breaches concerning “failures in decision making and communication” and “series of key failings of control as the crowd built.” Eight other SYP officers were also identified for their roles in match preparation, disaster response, or blame deflection efforts.
Additionally, former West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Mervyn Jones and Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Foster would have faced cases regarding their leadership of the disaster investigation, including “alleged bias towards police and against supporters” and not intervening in SYP’s account amendment process. IOPC deputy director general Kathie Cashell stated that those affected “have been repeatedly let down—before, during and after the horrific events of that day.”
Hilda Hammond, whose 14-year-old son Philip died in the tragedy, expressed her frustration over the lack of action, calling it “like rubbing salt in a very old wound.” She felt the investigation was a “fruitless exercise” given the lack of consequences for the officers involved.
This extensive investigation, which ran concurrently with Operation Resolve—a criminal inquiry, cost £88 million, with Operation Resolve costing an additional £65 million. While Operation Resolve led to six individuals facing criminal charges, only former Sheffield Wednesday Football Club secretary Graham Mackrell was ultimately convicted over the disaster. Millenium TV will continue to follow developments regarding the impact of the Hillsborough Law, introduced earlier this year, which establishes a legal duty of candour for public officials.
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