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South Yorkshire Police chief suspended over Hillsborough | South Yorkshire Police chief suspended over Hillsborough |
(35 minutes later) | |
South Yorkshire Police chief constable David Crompton has been suspended following the Hillsborough inquests. | South Yorkshire Police chief constable David Crompton has been suspended following the Hillsborough inquests. |
Jurors concluded the 96 victims of the 1989 disaster were unlawfully killed and there were police failings. | Jurors concluded the 96 victims of the 1989 disaster were unlawfully killed and there were police failings. |
Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham said "those responsible must be held to account" saying the force had gone back on its 2012 apology. | Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham said "those responsible must be held to account" saying the force had gone back on its 2012 apology. |
The force's Police and Crime Commissioner said there had been an "erosion of trust". | The force's Police and Crime Commissioner said there had been an "erosion of trust". |
Dr Alan Billings said he had no choice but to act. | Dr Alan Billings said he had no choice but to act. |
The PCC said: "The continuing criticism that has been directed at the Chief Constable and the eroding trust and confidence in South Yorkshire Police I have been left with no choice other than to suspend David Crompton from his duties. | The PCC said: "The continuing criticism that has been directed at the Chief Constable and the eroding trust and confidence in South Yorkshire Police I have been left with no choice other than to suspend David Crompton from his duties. |
"I have reached this decision with a heavy heart following discussions with David." | "I have reached this decision with a heavy heart following discussions with David." |
Mr Crompton was due to retire in November after four years in the role. | Mr Crompton was due to retire in November after four years in the role. |
Thousands of people are attending a vigil in Liverpool in memory of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster. | Thousands of people are attending a vigil in Liverpool in memory of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster. |
The event follows the conclusion of the inquests, which were held in Warrington, Cheshire. | The event follows the conclusion of the inquests, which were held in Warrington, Cheshire. |
Flowers and scarves have been laid on the steps of St George's Hall in the city centre. | Flowers and scarves have been laid on the steps of St George's Hall in the city centre. |
Mr Burnham, who has backed the campaign for justice for the Hillsborough victims, had called for Mr Crompton's resignation in the House of Commons. | |
He said the force had gone back on its 2012 public apology following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report. | He said the force had gone back on its 2012 public apology following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report. |
Mr Burnham said: "Shamefully, the cover-up continued in this Warrington court room. Millions of pounds of public money were spent retelling discredited lies. | Mr Burnham said: "Shamefully, the cover-up continued in this Warrington court room. Millions of pounds of public money were spent retelling discredited lies. |
"Lawyers for retired officers threw disgusting slurs; those for today's force tried to establish that others were responsible for the opening of the gate. | "Lawyers for retired officers threw disgusting slurs; those for today's force tried to establish that others were responsible for the opening of the gate. |
"If the police had chosen to maintain its apology, these inquests would have been much shorter." | "If the police had chosen to maintain its apology, these inquests would have been much shorter." |
Lawyers acting on behalf of the 22 of the families welcomed the suspension. | Lawyers acting on behalf of the 22 of the families welcomed the suspension. |
The statement from Broudie Jackson Canter said: "We hope and expect that his conduct will be subject to the rigorous and impartial scrutiny which has so long been denied to the families." | The statement from Broudie Jackson Canter said: "We hope and expect that his conduct will be subject to the rigorous and impartial scrutiny which has so long been denied to the families." |
In 2012, Mr Crompton admitted "grave errors" were made during the Hillsborough disaster and has apologised "profoundly". | In 2012, Mr Crompton admitted "grave errors" were made during the Hillsborough disaster and has apologised "profoundly". |
On Tuesday after the inquests conclusions were delivered, he admitted the policing of the match was "catastrophically wrong" and "unequivocally" accepted the findings. | On Tuesday after the inquests conclusions were delivered, he admitted the policing of the match was "catastrophically wrong" and "unequivocally" accepted the findings. |
Hours before his suspension, the force said: "We have never sought, at any stage, to defend the failures of South Yorkshire Police or its officers. | Hours before his suspension, the force said: "We have never sought, at any stage, to defend the failures of South Yorkshire Police or its officers. |
"Nevertheless, these failures had to be put into the context of other contributory factors. In other words, where do the failings of SYP stand in the overall picture? | "Nevertheless, these failures had to be put into the context of other contributory factors. In other words, where do the failings of SYP stand in the overall picture? |
"We are sorry if our approach has been perceived as at odds with our earlier apology, this was certainly not our intention." | "We are sorry if our approach has been perceived as at odds with our earlier apology, this was certainly not our intention." |
Home Secretary Theresa May has praised the "extraordinary dignity and determination" of the Hillsborough families. | Home Secretary Theresa May has praised the "extraordinary dignity and determination" of the Hillsborough families. |
She said for 27 years the families and survivors "fought for justice from the authorities that should have been trusted, and have laid blame and tried to protect themselves." | She said for 27 years the families and survivors "fought for justice from the authorities that should have been trusted, and have laid blame and tried to protect themselves." |
The families "have never faltered", she said, and commended their courage, determination and resolve. | The families "have never faltered", she said, and commended their courage, determination and resolve. |
The fans died as a result of a crush during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989. | The fans died as a result of a crush during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989. |
Mrs May said the jury found that blunders by South Yorkshire's police and ambulance services "caused or contributed to" the deaths as a result of the disaster. | Mrs May said the jury found that blunders by South Yorkshire's police and ambulance services "caused or contributed to" the deaths as a result of the disaster. |
The jury also concluded that Liverpool fans were not to blame for what happened. | The jury also concluded that Liverpool fans were not to blame for what happened. |
She read out the potential offences under investigation including gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, perjury and perverting the course of justice. | She read out the potential offences under investigation including gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, perjury and perverting the course of justice. |
John Joyce, 72, who was at Sheffield Wednesday's ground on the day of the disaster, said like the families of the dead, he too wanted to see the police prosecuted. | |
"From day one they were at fault. They called us robbers, pickpockets and everything. Rubbish. They switched the statements, it's been hard. I was at the game, I was in the stands, that's why I have lived with it for 27 rotten years," he said. | |
The inquests jury heard more than two years of evidence at Britain's longest running inquests. | The inquests jury heard more than two years of evidence at Britain's longest running inquests. |
Nine jurors reached unanimous decisions on all but one of the 14 questions at the inquests into UK's worst sporting disaster. | Nine jurors reached unanimous decisions on all but one of the 14 questions at the inquests into UK's worst sporting disaster. |
The coroner Sir John Goldring said he would accept a majority decision about whether the fans were unlawfully killed - seven jurors agreed they were. | The coroner Sir John Goldring said he would accept a majority decision about whether the fans were unlawfully killed - seven jurors agreed they were. |