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Hillsborough disaster: police and ambulance chiefs 'should resign' – live updates Hillsborough disaster: police and ambulance chiefs 'should resign' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
4.03pm BST
16:03
Here’s some more full quotes from the first of the two family press conferences about the calls for the chief constable of South Yorkshire police and the head of the county’s ambulance service to resign, via the Press Association:
Stephen Wright:
The evidence over the past two years has been overwhelming, yet South Yorkshire police and their senior officers have tried to look truth in the eye and deny responsibility and shift blame onto others, in particular, innocent football fans.
For 27 years, we the victims of this tragedy have had to live with the outrage of such institutional denial.
He said the chief constable accepted some responsibility for the force after publication of the Hillsborough Independent panel report in 2012:
However, such a comprehensive admission of responsibility, not only for the disaster and loss of life, but also for the dishonest and outrageous cover-up was not honoured in these current inquests...
For this reason, we the 22 families call for the immediate resignation of David Crompton, the chief constable.
Charlotte Hennessy, on the ambulance service:
Despite having a designated unit at the ground, with two station officers, two other personnel and an ambulance, they failed to react to the disaster unfolding before them.
From both the police and ambulance service it was a hopeless emergency response and undoubtedly increased the loss of life.
3.54pm BST
15:54
My colleague Owen Gibson has sent me this quote from Steve Rotheram, the Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, about the reaction inside the inquest as the conclusions were read out:
It was incredible. I broke down, looked around and thought I’d better keep myself together. I looked around and my good friend Andy Burnham had tears in his eyes, and the families of course. It was an outpouring of grief and relief, I think.
3.41pm BST
15:41
Another photo of the now-ended press conference.
3.34pm BST3.34pm BST
15:3415:34
Some more updates from the press conference from colleagues there.Some more updates from the press conference from colleagues there.
Margaret Aspinall closes @HFSG_Official press conference by criticising media which ran falsehoods over the years. pic.twitter.com/AUxOehulT1Margaret Aspinall closes @HFSG_Official press conference by criticising media which ran falsehoods over the years. pic.twitter.com/AUxOehulT1
Hillsborough: Trevor Hicks: Disgrace is that we've been faced by police slander upon slander, insult upon insult; now truth has won out.Hillsborough: Trevor Hicks: Disgrace is that we've been faced by police slander upon slander, insult upon insult; now truth has won out.
Hillsborough: Margaret Aspinall criticises system by which Police always have public funding while bereaved families had to fund themselves.Hillsborough: Margaret Aspinall criticises system by which Police always have public funding while bereaved families had to fund themselves.
Michael Mansfield "We would like apologies for each of the lies that have been sticking in the hearts of Liverpool fans for all these years"Michael Mansfield "We would like apologies for each of the lies that have been sticking in the hearts of Liverpool fans for all these years"
3.32pm BST3.32pm BST
15:3215:32
Trevor Hicks recounts how the police narrative began even as relatives were identifying the bodies of victims, saying they was asked what alcohol they might have drunk. He says:Trevor Hicks recounts how the police narrative began even as relatives were identifying the bodies of victims, saying they was asked what alcohol they might have drunk. He says:
It started then and it went on till a few hours ago.It started then and it went on till a few hours ago.
3.26pm BST3.26pm BST
15:2615:26
Jane MartinsonJane Martinson
To break off quickly from the press conference, the Sun’s former political editor has said the newspaper was not to blame for its infamous The Truth front page headline about Hillsborough. This from my colleague Jane Martinson:To break off quickly from the press conference, the Sun’s former political editor has said the newspaper was not to blame for its infamous The Truth front page headline about Hillsborough. This from my colleague Jane Martinson:
Trevor Kavanagh, the Sun’s political editor at the time of the Hillsborough disaster, has blamed the police and other authorities for misleading the newspaper and defended his role in the story that led to the infamous 1989 headline, The Truth.Trevor Kavanagh, the Sun’s political editor at the time of the Hillsborough disaster, has blamed the police and other authorities for misleading the newspaper and defended his role in the story that led to the infamous 1989 headline, The Truth.
Asked if he was sorry about his involvement, he said: “No, I’m not sorry at all. I didn’t have any involvement at all apart from to say that Downing Street had been told [the same thing].”Asked if he was sorry about his involvement, he said: “No, I’m not sorry at all. I didn’t have any involvement at all apart from to say that Downing Street had been told [the same thing].”
Kavanagh, political editor of the newspaper between 1983 and 2006, told the Guardian: “We were clearly misled about the events and the authorities, including the police, actively concealed the truth.Kavanagh, political editor of the newspaper between 1983 and 2006, told the Guardian: “We were clearly misled about the events and the authorities, including the police, actively concealed the truth.
“The impact on the reputation of the police service in general has been enormous and continuing and I think that’s a price that the whole of society is paying.”“The impact on the reputation of the police service in general has been enormous and continuing and I think that’s a price that the whole of society is paying.”
Kavanagh also defended his old boss and former editor of the Sun, Kelvin Mackenzie, responsible for writing the headline above disgraceful allegations against Liverpool fans.Kavanagh also defended his old boss and former editor of the Sun, Kelvin Mackenzie, responsible for writing the headline above disgraceful allegations against Liverpool fans.
“I don’t think Kelvin committed any crime and he has made his position abundantly clear many times. We have apologised many times and tried repeatedly to make amends.”“I don’t think Kelvin committed any crime and he has made his position abundantly clear many times. We have apologised many times and tried repeatedly to make amends.”
In 2012, 23 years after the disaster, the Sun offered its “profound apologies” under a headline Hillsborough: The Real Truth following an independent report into the deaths.In 2012, 23 years after the disaster, the Sun offered its “profound apologies” under a headline Hillsborough: The Real Truth following an independent report into the deaths.
The paper is still subject to a boycott in Liverpool and families of the victims believe the episode shows the worst excesses of press wrongdoing.The paper is still subject to a boycott in Liverpool and families of the victims believe the episode shows the worst excesses of press wrongdoing.
Kavanagh, now the paper’s associate editor, was also appointed to the board of industry regulator Ipso last year. An opponent of the Leveson inquiry into press misbehaviour, Kavanagh said on Tuesday that the press should learn not to trust the authorities: “We were perhaps too ready to accept the evidence from senior police officers at the time”.Kavanagh, now the paper’s associate editor, was also appointed to the board of industry regulator Ipso last year. An opponent of the Leveson inquiry into press misbehaviour, Kavanagh said on Tuesday that the press should learn not to trust the authorities: “We were perhaps too ready to accept the evidence from senior police officers at the time”.
Asked to comment on Tuesday’s verdict, the Sun made no comment.Asked to comment on Tuesday’s verdict, the Sun made no comment.
3.21pm BST3.21pm BST
15:2115:21
Trevor Hicks says there has been two tragedies – what happened on the day, and the long cover-up subsequently. He says:Trevor Hicks says there has been two tragedies – what happened on the day, and the long cover-up subsequently. He says:
Even disgrace isn’t good enough to describe what has gone on for so long.Even disgrace isn’t good enough to describe what has gone on for so long.
3.16pm BST3.16pm BST
15:1615:16
As the press conference goes on, here is a video report from David Conn outside the inquest.As the press conference goes on, here is a video report from David Conn outside the inquest.
3.14pm BST3.14pm BST
15:1415:14
Margaret Apsinall is asked what she would like to happen next. She replies:Margaret Apsinall is asked what she would like to happen next. She replies:
I’m going to leave that in the hands of the CPS and the lawyers.I’m going to leave that in the hands of the CPS and the lawyers.
Jenni Hicks adds that she would like to see some proper accountability for what happens.Jenni Hicks adds that she would like to see some proper accountability for what happens.
3.11pm BST3.11pm BST
15:1115:11
Here’s some more updates from this press conference.Here’s some more updates from this press conference.
Margaret Aspinall: "27 years ago we didn't only have the establishment against us, we had the media against as well"Margaret Aspinall: "27 years ago we didn't only have the establishment against us, we had the media against as well"
Margaret Aspinall, chair HFSG: "I find it a disgrace the money it's cost the country to get where we are."Margaret Aspinall, chair HFSG: "I find it a disgrace the money it's cost the country to get where we are."
Trevor Hicks: "During these procedures some people have been peddling the same old lies."Trevor Hicks: "During these procedures some people have been peddling the same old lies."
Jenni Hicks: “I've got this huge feeling of relief finally we've had a jury that is brave enough to come forward with the right conclusions"Jenni Hicks: “I've got this huge feeling of relief finally we've had a jury that is brave enough to come forward with the right conclusions"
3.09pm BST
15:09
This is the scene at the current press conference, held by the Hillsborough Family Support Group, which represents more than 70 of the victims’ families.
On a historic day of vindication for people whose loved ones were unlawfully killed, @HFSG_Official press conference pic.twitter.com/xR4kKu5xtm
3.08pm BST
15:08
Trevor Hicks, whose two teenage daughters died in the disaster, is among the relatives speaking at this other press conference. They open the floor to questions, after checking there are no reporters from the Sun in the room.
3.04pm BST
15:04
Here’s some images from that press conference, which involved relatives of 22 victims. There is also a parallel press conference taking place in Warrington, involving other relatives.
3.01pm BST
15:01
The statements are going on, with one relative calling for the head of the Yorkshire ambulance service to resign.
Another, Anne Burkett, whose son, Peter, was among those killed, is now dealing with what she calls the “industrial-strength cover up” by police of what really happened.
“Now is the time for consequences,” she says, calling for South Yorkshire police’s chief constable to resign, and for “remedial measures” to be taken against the force more widely.
She says: “The story of Hillsborough is a story of human tragedy, but it is also a story of deceit and lies.”
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
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:
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.