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| Hillsborough inquests: 'I should apologise', says ex-commander | Hillsborough inquests: 'I should apologise', says ex-commander |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The senior officer in charge of policing at Hillsborough said he feels as if he "should apologise" for his actions on the day. | |
| Former Supt Roger Greenwood told the Hillsborough inquests he did not know what the procedure was if the central pens became full. | Former Supt Roger Greenwood told the Hillsborough inquests he did not know what the procedure was if the central pens became full. |
| He admitted his "best was not good enough" on the day 96 Liverpool fans died in the stadium. | He admitted his "best was not good enough" on the day 96 Liverpool fans died in the stadium. |
| Mr Greenwood told the court in Cheshire it was a "matter of profound regret". | Mr Greenwood told the court in Cheshire it was a "matter of profound regret". |
| Ninety-six Liverpool fans died after a crush on the terraces at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest held at Sheffield Wednesday's ground. | Ninety-six Liverpool fans died after a crush on the terraces at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest held at Sheffield Wednesday's ground. |
| Jason Beer QC, who represents Sheffield Wednesday, showed the jury a portion of Mr Greenwood's evidence to the Taylor Inquiry in 1989, in which Mr Greenwood admitted he did not know the arrangements to prevent more spectators entering pens if they became full. | Jason Beer QC, who represents Sheffield Wednesday, showed the jury a portion of Mr Greenwood's evidence to the Taylor Inquiry in 1989, in which Mr Greenwood admitted he did not know the arrangements to prevent more spectators entering pens if they became full. |
| Mr Beer asked Mr Greenwood why, as ground commander, he did not know what to do. | Mr Beer asked Mr Greenwood why, as ground commander, he did not know what to do. |
| He replied: 'Well, specifically because it was 'find your own level [sit where you like]'." | He replied: 'Well, specifically because it was 'find your own level [sit where you like]'." |
| The barrister said: "You didn't abdicate all responsibility, surely, South Yorkshire Police, for those fans, did you? | The barrister said: "You didn't abdicate all responsibility, surely, South Yorkshire Police, for those fans, did you? |
| "'Find your own level' still had some police involvement, didn't it?" | "'Find your own level' still had some police involvement, didn't it?" |
| 'Sensational headlines' | 'Sensational headlines' |
| Mr Greenwood said it had worked during the 1988 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough and that "it was the principle that was going to operate in 1989". | Mr Greenwood said it had worked during the 1988 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough and that "it was the principle that was going to operate in 1989". |
| Mr Beer said: "Never mind what would happen in an emergency situation in response to the opening of an exit gate with hundreds or thousands of fans pouring in, what about the ordinary course of events?" | Mr Beer said: "Never mind what would happen in an emergency situation in response to the opening of an exit gate with hundreds or thousands of fans pouring in, what about the ordinary course of events?" |
| "If the pens became full you didn't know what was to happen, did you?" | "If the pens became full you didn't know what was to happen, did you?" |
| Mr Greenwood said he would not "just stand by" if pens became full and the "find your own level" was not working. He said one would "take flexible response action". | Mr Greenwood said he would not "just stand by" if pens became full and the "find your own level" was not working. He said one would "take flexible response action". |
| "One responds to it to prevent the emergency happening. That's what I would have done." | "One responds to it to prevent the emergency happening. That's what I would have done." |
| Mr Greenwood was also questioned by his own barrister, John Beggs QC, during his fourth day giving evidence. | Mr Greenwood was also questioned by his own barrister, John Beggs QC, during his fourth day giving evidence. |
| Mr Beggs asked if the accusations of "gross incompetence" and a "total failure of leadership" levelled at him in the inquests had made him a "little angry". | Mr Beggs asked if the accusations of "gross incompetence" and a "total failure of leadership" levelled at him in the inquests had made him a "little angry". |
| Mr Greenwood said: "I can think of no worse criticism on somebody's professional acumen that created sensational headlines." | Mr Greenwood said: "I can think of no worse criticism on somebody's professional acumen that created sensational headlines." |
| Mr Beggs said: "You would accept, wouldn't you, in the light of the tragic outcome - 96 who died and many hundreds injured and traumatised - you would accept that your best, in common with all officers doing their best, simply was not good enough, was it?" | Mr Beggs said: "You would accept, wouldn't you, in the light of the tragic outcome - 96 who died and many hundreds injured and traumatised - you would accept that your best, in common with all officers doing their best, simply was not good enough, was it?" |
| 'Profound regret' | 'Profound regret' |
| Mr Greenwood replied: "We couldn't resolve the situation, no." | Mr Greenwood replied: "We couldn't resolve the situation, no." |
| Mr Beggs said: "It was not good enough Mr Greenwood, bluntly, was it, in the event?" | Mr Beggs said: "It was not good enough Mr Greenwood, bluntly, was it, in the event?" |
| Mr Greenwood said: "No, no." | Mr Greenwood said: "No, no." |
| His barrister said: "Is that a matter of profound regret that has lived with you since April 1989?" | His barrister said: "Is that a matter of profound regret that has lived with you since April 1989?" |
| "Absolutely," his client replied. | "Absolutely," his client replied. |
| Mr Greenwood paused briefly after becoming emotional, then said: "I feel - I feel as if I should apologise." | Mr Greenwood paused briefly after becoming emotional, then said: "I feel - I feel as if I should apologise." |
| Who were the 96 victims? | Who were the 96 victims? |
| BBC News: Profiles of all those who died | BBC News: Profiles of all those who died |
| The inquests in Warrington continue. | The inquests in Warrington continue. |