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| Hillsborough disaster: those responsible could face charges, says May | Hillsborough disaster: those responsible could face charges, says May |
| (4 months later) | |
| Theresa May insisted there would be no holding back in pursuing criminal charges against those responsible for the Hillsborough disaster, as MPs demanded a thorough investigation of the culture of collusion that allowed the truth to be covered up for decades. | Theresa May insisted there would be no holding back in pursuing criminal charges against those responsible for the Hillsborough disaster, as MPs demanded a thorough investigation of the culture of collusion that allowed the truth to be covered up for decades. |
| In an emotional session in the House of Commons, MPs sat silently as May read out the determinations of the jury in the Hillsborough inquests in full – including that the police’s lack of planning and their decisions taken on the day contributed to the disaster, while the behaviour of the fans attending the match did not. | In an emotional session in the House of Commons, MPs sat silently as May read out the determinations of the jury in the Hillsborough inquests in full – including that the police’s lack of planning and their decisions taken on the day contributed to the disaster, while the behaviour of the fans attending the match did not. |
| “Clearly, the jury’s determination that those who died were unlawfully killed was of great public importance,” she said. “It overturns in the starkest way possible the verdict of accidental death of the first inquest.” | “Clearly, the jury’s determination that those who died were unlawfully killed was of great public importance,” she said. “It overturns in the starkest way possible the verdict of accidental death of the first inquest.” |
| The shadow home secretary, Andy Burnham, who has been a leading figure in the long-running campaign for the truth about Hillsborough to be revealed, responded with a powerful speech, greeted with applause by MPs, condemning the culture of South Yorkshire police. | The shadow home secretary, Andy Burnham, who has been a leading figure in the long-running campaign for the truth about Hillsborough to be revealed, responded with a powerful speech, greeted with applause by MPs, condemning the culture of South Yorkshire police. |
| Burnham said the finding of the inquests was “simple, clear, powerful and emphatic” and “those responsible must be held to account for 96 unlawful deaths and a 26-year cover-up”. | Burnham said the finding of the inquests was “simple, clear, powerful and emphatic” and “those responsible must be held to account for 96 unlawful deaths and a 26-year cover-up”. |
| “But it begged the question,” he added. “How could something so obvious have taken so long? Three reasons. First, a police force which has consistently put protecting itself above protecting people harmed by Hillsborough. Second, collusion between that force and complicit print media. Third, a flawed judicial system that gives the upper hand to those in authority over and above ordinary people.” | “But it begged the question,” he added. “How could something so obvious have taken so long? Three reasons. First, a police force which has consistently put protecting itself above protecting people harmed by Hillsborough. Second, collusion between that force and complicit print media. Third, a flawed judicial system that gives the upper hand to those in authority over and above ordinary people.” |
| He demanded the resignation of the chief constable of South Yorkshire police, suggesting the leadership and culture of the force was “rotten to the core”. | He demanded the resignation of the chief constable of South Yorkshire police, suggesting the leadership and culture of the force was “rotten to the core”. |
| Drawing a link with the Orgreave clash during the miners’ strike, and the recent child grooming cases in Rotherham, Burnham called for “fundamental reform” of the force. “Orgreave, Hillsborough, Rotherham: how much evidence do we need?” he said. | Drawing a link with the Orgreave clash during the miners’ strike, and the recent child grooming cases in Rotherham, Burnham called for “fundamental reform” of the force. “Orgreave, Hillsborough, Rotherham: how much evidence do we need?” he said. |
| The home secretary said the Crown Prosecution Service would decide later this year whether charges should be brought, once two criminal investigations into the 1989 football stadium disaster, in which 96 people died, were complete. | The home secretary said the Crown Prosecution Service would decide later this year whether charges should be brought, once two criminal investigations into the 1989 football stadium disaster, in which 96 people died, were complete. |
| “It was this country’s worst disaster at a sporting event. For the families and survivors the search to get to the truth of what happened on that day has been long and arduous,” May said. | “It was this country’s worst disaster at a sporting event. For the families and survivors the search to get to the truth of what happened on that day has been long and arduous,” May said. |
| She said potential charges could include gross negligence, manslaughter, misconduct in public office, perverting the course of justice and perjury, as well as offences under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. | She said potential charges could include gross negligence, manslaughter, misconduct in public office, perverting the course of justice and perjury, as well as offences under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. |
| She also paid tribute to the families of the victims, who have fought long and hard to see the truth emerge. | She also paid tribute to the families of the victims, who have fought long and hard to see the truth emerge. |
| “They suffered the injustices of hearing the victims, their loved ones and fellow supporters, being blamed,” she said. “In their search for truth and justice I have never failed to be struck by their extraordinary dignity and determination.” | “They suffered the injustices of hearing the victims, their loved ones and fellow supporters, being blamed,” she said. “In their search for truth and justice I have never failed to be struck by their extraordinary dignity and determination.” |
| As well as demanding an investigation of South Yorkshire police, Burnham said more should be done to prevent senior officers escaping the blame for their failings by retiring. | As well as demanding an investigation of South Yorkshire police, Burnham said more should be done to prevent senior officers escaping the blame for their failings by retiring. |
| He mooted the idea of inserting a “Hillsborough clause” into the forthcoming justice bill, which would prevent senior police officers from retiring before disciplinary action against them could be taken – a proposal May said she was willing to discuss with Labour. | He mooted the idea of inserting a “Hillsborough clause” into the forthcoming justice bill, which would prevent senior police officers from retiring before disciplinary action against them could be taken – a proposal May said she was willing to discuss with Labour. |
| He also called for the government to press ahead with so-called “Leveson II”, the second part of the investigation into the relationship between the media and public figures, saying: “No one in the police or media has ever been held to account for the incalculable harm they caused in smearing a whole city in its moment of greatest grief.” | He also called for the government to press ahead with so-called “Leveson II”, the second part of the investigation into the relationship between the media and public figures, saying: “No one in the police or media has ever been held to account for the incalculable harm they caused in smearing a whole city in its moment of greatest grief.” |
| MPs on both sides of the House expressed their anger at the struggle the Hillsborough families have faced for justice; and paid tribute both to Burnham and May. | MPs on both sides of the House expressed their anger at the struggle the Hillsborough families have faced for justice; and paid tribute both to Burnham and May. |
| Asked by Conservative MP Chris Heaton-Harris what she thought of the role of the South Yorkshire police, May said they must “recognise the truth”. | Asked by Conservative MP Chris Heaton-Harris what she thought of the role of the South Yorkshire police, May said they must “recognise the truth”. |