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PC Debra Martin 'coerced to change Hillsborough notes' | PC Debra Martin 'coerced to change Hillsborough notes' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A former policewoman has claimed she was coerced into changing her evidence about the Hillsborough disaster. | A former policewoman has claimed she was coerced into changing her evidence about the Hillsborough disaster. |
Debra Martin said two West Midland Police officers pressured her to change a statement on the tragedy. | |
Ms Martin, on duty in the stadium in 1989 when 96 Liverpool fans died, said her evidence related to the death of 15-year-old Kevin Williams. | |
South Yorkshire Police said the claim was not new. West Midlands Police said any new allegation would be looked at. | |
MPs are debating whether a new inquest should be held into Kevin's death, after an e-petition to parliament reached the 100,000 signature threshold. | MPs are debating whether a new inquest should be held into Kevin's death, after an e-petition to parliament reached the 100,000 signature threshold. |
'Still breathing' | 'Still breathing' |
The original inquest in 1991 returned a verdict of accidental death on him, ruling that 95 of the 96 victims were dead by 15:15. A 96th supporter, Tony Bland, fell into a coma and died in hospital in 1993. | The original inquest in 1991 returned a verdict of accidental death on him, ruling that 95 of the 96 victims were dead by 15:15. A 96th supporter, Tony Bland, fell into a coma and died in hospital in 1993. |
Speaking about Kevin's death, ex-special constable Ms Martin said: "He was still breathing at 3.15 (15.15) | |
"I stayed with him, I was definitely sure that between 3.50 (15.50) and just gone four o'clock (16.00) that is when Kevin died. | "I stayed with him, I was definitely sure that between 3.50 (15.50) and just gone four o'clock (16.00) that is when Kevin died. |
"He didn't die at quarter past three. | "He didn't die at quarter past three. |
"I was wearing a watch, a perfectly good watch, it was working. | "I was wearing a watch, a perfectly good watch, it was working. |
"Being a police officer, it's a watch you stand by." | "Being a police officer, it's a watch you stand by." |
Ms Martin told BBC News a female police officer and her male colleague visited her on a number of occasions and pressured her into making changes to timings she noted in a written statement. | |
Ms Martin said: "The WPC was with a male colleague and they visited me at least three to four times over consecutive weekends. | Ms Martin said: "The WPC was with a male colleague and they visited me at least three to four times over consecutive weekends. |
"She treated me horribly and basically said I'd never been at Hillsborough so I said, 'Well, I've seen myself on film footage so I said sorry you're lying there'." | "She treated me horribly and basically said I'd never been at Hillsborough so I said, 'Well, I've seen myself on film footage so I said sorry you're lying there'." |
Ms Martin said the female officer who visited her told her of the remit she had been given. | Ms Martin said the female officer who visited her told her of the remit she had been given. |
Mother's petition | Mother's petition |
"She basically said that she'd been told from people that she'd got to do her job and that job was to tie loose ends up," Ms Martin said. | |
"I've always wanted to come forward and let people know there was a cover up. I never blamed South Yorkshire Police at all. | |
"Whatever has happened, it needs to come out, people need to realise there are two statements, my original and this horrible copy that has been done." | "Whatever has happened, it needs to come out, people need to realise there are two statements, my original and this horrible copy that has been done." |
Kevin's mother, Anne Williams, contests the accidental death verdict at her son Kevin's original inquest. | Kevin's mother, Anne Williams, contests the accidental death verdict at her son Kevin's original inquest. |
Kevin, who was 15 at the time, was one of the Liverpool fans who died after the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final match against Nottingham Forest. | Kevin, who was 15 at the time, was one of the Liverpool fans who died after the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final match against Nottingham Forest. |
Mrs Williams and her supporters say Kevin was still alive at 16:00. | Mrs Williams and her supporters say Kevin was still alive at 16:00. |
His mother, from Liverpool, set up the e-petition urging the government to open a new inquest under section 13 of the Coroner's Act, wanting the accidental death verdict to be overturned. | His mother, from Liverpool, set up the e-petition urging the government to open a new inquest under section 13 of the Coroner's Act, wanting the accidental death verdict to be overturned. |
In a statement, West Midlands Police, which was the force charged with investigating the role of South Yorkshire Police on the day, said thousands of detailed statements were taken by its officers. | |
"West Midlands Police investigated the sad events of that day in a rigorous and robust manner which was praised in the final report into the Lord Justice Taylor inquiry. | |
"Any new allegation made to West Midlands Police would be thoroughly and professionally investigated." |