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| Hillsborough disaster: victim's brother calls for police chief to resign – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.56pm BST | |
| 14:56 | |
| Frances Perraudin | |
| The family press conference goes on, with criticism also of Sheffield Wednesday, for not making their ground more safe. | |
| Meanwhile my colleague Frances Perraudin has this from Liverpool. | |
| As the jury read out its verdicts, a crowd started to gather around a big screen showing the BBC news channel on Liverpool’s St George’s plateau. | |
| Workmen on a crane started to hang banners reading Truth and Justice on the facade of St George’s Hall, on the steps of which were 96 red candles - one for each of the victims. | |
| Alfie Standard looked on with tears in his eyes. “I was at that match,” he said. “We were queuing up to go through that B gate and one good thing that a police man did for us was to open a corner flag gate and let us go through there.” | |
| Standard, who still has his ticket from that day, has only been to a handful of football matches since then because they make him too emotional. | |
| “We were standing there and watching people get crushed,” he says. “People were shouting to the police to open the gate behind the goal and let the fans onto the pitch but they wouldn’t do it.” | |
| One of Standard’s friends who was a paramedic tried to climb the fence to help a little boy who was unconscious, but the police pushed him away. “I still don’t know to this day if that kid was alive,” he says. | |
| Standard described himself as being “over the moon” with the jury’s verdict. “Everyone in this city knew that this verdict was going to come.” | |
| Another onlooker, Claire Brookfield, said the result would come as a massive relief to the city as a whole. “My dad was there that day and to know that he came home and 96 other people didn’t is terrible,” she says. | |
| “It just feels like a massive weight has been lifted from this city, but the biggest thing is that criminal proceedings are still brought and that those people are held accountable,” says Brookfield. | |
| “This city stood together while people have slated us and lied. We’ve got the victory we deserve.” | |
| 2.44pm BST | |
| 14:44 | |
| Stephen Wright, whose brother, Graham, was among those who died, has criticised police for failing to accept their wrongdoing earlier. He has called for the chief constable of South Yorkshire police, David Crompton, to resign. | |
| 2.41pm BST | |
| 14:41 | |
| The solicitors’ statement was read out before a family press conference about the inquest, which is happening now. Various relatives are speaking in turn. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.45pm BST | |
| 2.35pm BST | |
| 14:35 | |
| Solicitors for the families of the victims, Elkan Abrahamson and Marcia Stewart, have made a statement to reporters outside the inquest. Like Andy Burnham, they have expressed anger at the adversarial approach to the inquest taken by the police and ambulance service. | |
| It is now 27 years since the Hillsborough families found themselves thrown together by the appalling tragedy that led to the loss of their loved ones. At the outset, that (and support for Liverpool FC) was probably all they had in common. | |
| The intervening years have brought much greater commonality: the shock and dismay at the way they were treated in the aftermath; anger at the cover up which started immediately following the disaster; frustration and disbelief at the deficiencies of both the legal and political processes which failed to deliver justice, and, above all, a constant and enduring tenacity and dedication to exposing the truth which has, despite all attempts to derail the process, stood firm over the decades. | |
| The jury’s conclusions completely vindicate the families’ long fight for justice. It is therefore all the more shameful that, rather than focussing on the search for truth and despite having made public apologies, the approach to the inquests taken by South Yorkshire police and the Yorkshire ambulance service was to fight tooth and nail to avoid adverse findings by the jury; this turned the inquests into an adversarial battler that probably doubled the length of time it might otherwise have done. | |
| Notwithstanding the difficulties along the way, the conclusion of the renewed inquests does bring both significant progress on the journey to expose the truth and, we hope, some degree of comfort and sense of closure to the bereaved. There is, however, still a long road to travel; the recent investigations have already taken three years and we therefore now urge the authorities to conduct rigorous and speedy investigations which will lead to criminal and disciplinary proceedings and to the attribution of final and full accountability. | |
| We are humbled and inspired by the commitment of the families with whom we have had the privilege to work. Each have their own stories, but the common thread that runs throughout is their unremitting, unwavering dedication to achieving justice for the 96. | |
| 2.25pm BST | |
| 14:25 | |
| Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has released a statement in the wake of the verdicts: | |
| I pay tribute to the families and friends of all the victims of the tragedy – as well as many others from the city of Liverpool – for the passionate and dignified campaign they have fought for almost three decades. Today they received total vindication for their fight for the truth and for justice. | |
| In the immediate aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster there were some who painted those that died and the fans of Liverpool FC as drunken yobs and thieves. The findings of this inquest clearly show that to have been a lie - fan behaviour didn’t cause or contribute to the disaster and the fans have been exonerated of any blame. | |
| All those that attended the semi-final 27 years ago were innocent victims and it is time that those who peddled those vile and malicious lies recognise the deep hurt they have inflicted on tens of thousands of innocent people - and are held to account. | |
| 2.14pm BST | 2.14pm BST |
| 14:14 | 14:14 |
| The chief constable of South Yorkshire police, David Crompton, has unreservedly apologised to victims’ families. Speaking outside the force’s headquarters in Sheffield, he said: | The chief constable of South Yorkshire police, David Crompton, has unreservedly apologised to victims’ families. Speaking outside the force’s headquarters in Sheffield, he said: |
| On 15 April 1989, South Yorkshire police got the policing of the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough catastrophically wrong. It was and still is the biggest disaster in British sporting history. That day 96 people died and the lives of many others were changed forever. The force failed the victims and failed their families. | On 15 April 1989, South Yorkshire police got the policing of the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough catastrophically wrong. It was and still is the biggest disaster in British sporting history. That day 96 people died and the lives of many others were changed forever. The force failed the victims and failed their families. |
| Today, as I have said before, I want to apologise unreservedly to the families and all those affected. | Today, as I have said before, I want to apologise unreservedly to the families and all those affected. |
| 2.10pm BST | 2.10pm BST |
| 14:10 | 14:10 |
| Summary | Summary |
| It’s almost three hours since the Hillsborough inquest jury began to deliver their conclusions, and much has happened since then. Here’s a summary: | It’s almost three hours since the Hillsborough inquest jury began to deliver their conclusions, and much has happened since then. Here’s a summary: |
| 1.51pm BST | 1.51pm BST |
| 13:51 | 13:51 |
| The banners outside St George’s Hall in Liverpool listing the names of the 96 victims now have some additions. Photo from Andy Hunter. | The banners outside St George’s Hall in Liverpool listing the names of the 96 victims now have some additions. Photo from Andy Hunter. |
| 1.42pm BST | 1.42pm BST |
| 13:42 | 13:42 |
| It’s almost hard to recollect how unbending was the political consensus in the wake of the disaster that police were blameless and Liverpool fans largely responsible. Many tweets today have sought to remind people of this. Here is one, citing the then-interventions of Boris Johnson, and Sir Bernard Ingham, Margaret Thatcher’s former press secretary. | It’s almost hard to recollect how unbending was the political consensus in the wake of the disaster that police were blameless and Liverpool fans largely responsible. Many tweets today have sought to remind people of this. Here is one, citing the then-interventions of Boris Johnson, and Sir Bernard Ingham, Margaret Thatcher’s former press secretary. |
| Here are Boris Johnson's & Thatcher's Press Secretary Bernard Ingham's take on Hillsborough #JFT96 pic.twitter.com/jmA6ixFK1k | Here are Boris Johnson's & Thatcher's Press Secretary Bernard Ingham's take on Hillsborough #JFT96 pic.twitter.com/jmA6ixFK1k |
| 1.38pm BST | 1.38pm BST |
| 13:38 | 13:38 |
| Andy Hunter | Andy Hunter |
| My colleague, Andy Hunter, sends this from Liverpool. | My colleague, Andy Hunter, sends this from Liverpool. |
| Margaret Matthews, whose husband Brian Christopher Matthews died at Hillsborough aged 38, gave her reaction at St George’s Hall in Liverpool - where there was a live stream of the inquest verdict. | Margaret Matthews, whose husband Brian Christopher Matthews died at Hillsborough aged 38, gave her reaction at St George’s Hall in Liverpool - where there was a live stream of the inquest verdict. |
| “I am overwhelmed. I am extremely pleased with the verdict of unlawful killing and that the inquest has shown that supporters were not to blame. There was so much bad press afterwards, saying supporters had urinated on the dead and pick-pocketed them, that my family wouldn’t let me look at the press for weeks afterwards. They horribly tried to blame the supporters but not the police or the ground or the medical response. | “I am overwhelmed. I am extremely pleased with the verdict of unlawful killing and that the inquest has shown that supporters were not to blame. There was so much bad press afterwards, saying supporters had urinated on the dead and pick-pocketed them, that my family wouldn’t let me look at the press for weeks afterwards. They horribly tried to blame the supporters but not the police or the ground or the medical response. |
| “My husband died between 14.57 and 15.19 and he did get exceptional medical help from seven people who worked on him on the pitch, including a man who is now a top surgeon in Australia. But a lot were just left on the pitch. Only one ambulance came onto the pitch. | “My husband died between 14.57 and 15.19 and he did get exceptional medical help from seven people who worked on him on the pitch, including a man who is now a top surgeon in Australia. But a lot were just left on the pitch. Only one ambulance came onto the pitch. |
| “I didn’t want to be in Warrington today. I am very grateful to the council for allowing us to come here instead.” | “I didn’t want to be in Warrington today. I am very grateful to the council for allowing us to come here instead.” |
| 1.35pm BST | 1.35pm BST |
| 13:35 | 13:35 |
| Andy Burnham: prosecutions must follow | Andy Burnham: prosecutions must follow |
| Andy Burnham, the Labour MP who has done arguably more than any politician to take the Hillsborough process to where it is today, has called for criminal prosecutions in the wake of the inquest. These are some of the quotes he have outside the court: | Andy Burnham, the Labour MP who has done arguably more than any politician to take the Hillsborough process to where it is today, has called for criminal prosecutions in the wake of the inquest. These are some of the quotes he have outside the court: |
| The question I’m asking is, how did something this simple take so long? ... | The question I’m asking is, how did something this simple take so long? ... |
| (On the verdicts): It exceeds anything that we could have expected. But it’s only what they deserve. This is justice for them. Their loved ones. Tonight, for the first time in 27 years, can rest in peace... | (On the verdicts): It exceeds anything that we could have expected. But it’s only what they deserve. This is justice for them. Their loved ones. Tonight, for the first time in 27 years, can rest in peace... |
| Now come accountability. Disgracefully, slurs have been thrown around in this courtroom about supporters of Liverpool football club. Disgracefully, the cover up has continued in this courtroom, Disgracefully, public money has been spent on those lies and putting these families through hell once again. I find that completely unacceptable. | Now come accountability. Disgracefully, slurs have been thrown around in this courtroom about supporters of Liverpool football club. Disgracefully, the cover up has continued in this courtroom, Disgracefully, public money has been spent on those lies and putting these families through hell once again. I find that completely unacceptable. |
| People must be held to account for their actions. Prosecutions must follow. | People must be held to account for their actions. Prosecutions must follow. |
| 1.15pm BST | 1.15pm BST |
| 13:15 | 13:15 |
| Much of the focus following today’s jury conclusions will now fall on the actions of South Yorkshire police, both on the day of the disaster and afterwards. Here is David Conn’s piece about which officers from the force were the key figures at the match, and what they did – and didn’t – do. | Much of the focus following today’s jury conclusions will now fall on the actions of South Yorkshire police, both on the day of the disaster and afterwards. Here is David Conn’s piece about which officers from the force were the key figures at the match, and what they did – and didn’t – do. |
| Related: South Yorkshire police: who did what at Hillsborough | Related: South Yorkshire police: who did what at Hillsborough |
| 1.11pm BST | 1.11pm BST |
| 13:11 | 13:11 |
| Some more family reaction to the verdict, via the Press Association: | Some more family reaction to the verdict, via the Press Association: |
| Barry Devonside, who lost his only son Christopher, 18, in the Hillsborough disaster said he had “dreamt” of the moment a jury decided the 96 victims were unlawfully killed. | Barry Devonside, who lost his only son Christopher, 18, in the Hillsborough disaster said he had “dreamt” of the moment a jury decided the 96 victims were unlawfully killed. |
| Mr Devonside, who has attended every day of the inquest, said: “Today we gained the confidence from the jury that what we’ve tried to do for 27 years is to bring justice for those who never went home.” | Mr Devonside, who has attended every day of the inquest, said: “Today we gained the confidence from the jury that what we’ve tried to do for 27 years is to bring justice for those who never went home.” |
| He added: “I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would get this decision. I always hoped and dreamt that we would get this decision. I’m glad we did. We did our best - we couldn’t do any more.” | He added: “I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would get this decision. I always hoped and dreamt that we would get this decision. I’m glad we did. We did our best - we couldn’t do any more.” |
| He said the conclusions delivered by the jury were “far more than expected”, adding: “I’m so, so pleased.” | He said the conclusions delivered by the jury were “far more than expected”, adding: “I’m so, so pleased.” |
| 1.05pm BST | 1.05pm BST |
| 13:05 | 13:05 |
| Via my colleagues on Guardian Sport, here’s the reaction of Rafael Benitez, the former Liverpool manager now in charge of Newcastle: | Via my colleagues on Guardian Sport, here’s the reaction of Rafael Benitez, the former Liverpool manager now in charge of Newcastle: |
| After so many years fighting for justice I am really pleased to see the verdict today, which confirms what we have been saying for a long time. | After so many years fighting for justice I am really pleased to see the verdict today, which confirms what we have been saying for a long time. |
| I am especially pleased for the families of the 96 who have sought justice for so long and with such dignity, as well as for the people of Liverpool and for football fans in general. Hopefully this verdict today will ensure that this kind of tragedy can never happen again. | I am especially pleased for the families of the 96 who have sought justice for so long and with such dignity, as well as for the people of Liverpool and for football fans in general. Hopefully this verdict today will ensure that this kind of tragedy can never happen again. |
| 12.58pm BST | 12.58pm BST |
| 12:58 | 12:58 |
| The inquest has finally finished hearing the long chronicle of those who died on 15 April 1989. | The inquest has finally finished hearing the long chronicle of those who died on 15 April 1989. |
| All but one of the 96 Hillsborough victims died from compression asphyxia, jury finds. Sombre roll call of their names lasted 50 minutes. | All but one of the 96 Hillsborough victims died from compression asphyxia, jury finds. Sombre roll call of their names lasted 50 minutes. |
| 12.55pm BST | 12.55pm BST |
| 12:55 | 12:55 |
| My colleague Frances Perraudin sends this from Liverpool. | My colleague Frances Perraudin sends this from Liverpool. |
| Ppl gathering to pay respects to the 96 at St George's hall in L'pool as the words 'true justice' are slowly put up pic.twitter.com/S8qU8DBzI9 | Ppl gathering to pay respects to the 96 at St George's hall in L'pool as the words 'true justice' are slowly put up pic.twitter.com/S8qU8DBzI9 |