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6 charged with the death of 95 football fans in 1989 Hillsborough disaster – CPS 6 face charges over death of 95 football fans in 1989 Hillsborough disaster – CPS
(35 minutes later)
DETAILS TO FOLLOW Six individuals will face criminal charges following an inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster of 1989. Former Match Commander for South Yorkshire Police David Duckenfield is among those facing charges of manslaughter by gross negligence.
Operation Resolve examined the preparations leading up to the 1989 FA Cup semi-final and the events of the day, where 96 Liverpool FC fans died at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield.
The 96th casualty, Anthony Bland, died from his injuries four years after the disaster. The CPS was therefore unable to lay charges for his manslaughter. 
It considered the criminal offences of gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in public office, and perverting the course of justice, as well as offences under the Safety at Sports Ground Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Files of evidence relating to 23 suspects, including individuals and organizations, were passed to the CPS earlier this year by Operation Resolve and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Relatives of the 96 victims were told of the CPS decision in a private meeting on Wednesday morning.
Besides Duckenfield, others facing charges include Sheffield Wednesday Football Club’s company secretary and safety officer on the day, Graham Henry Mackrell.
The solicitor acting for the South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests, Peter Metcalf, will also face charges, as will former Chief Superintendent Donald Denton of South Yorkshire Police, the force’s former Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster, and the same force’s former officer and later Chief Constable of Merseyside and West Yorkshire Police Norman Bettison.
Bettison is charged with four counts of misconduct in public office. Denton, Foster and Metcalfe are accused of acting with intent to pervert the course of justice. Mackrell is charged with three offences relating to health and safety at sports grounds.
All defendants bar Duckenfield are to appear at Warrington Magistrates Court on August 8.
The head of the special crime and counterterrorism division for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Sue Hemming, said the conduct of West Midlands Police still needs “additional investigative work.”
“Additionally, just this week, the [IPCC] has referred two further suspects which are unconnected to the matters sent to us in January; these subjects are subject to ongoing consideration by the CPS. We will announce our decisions in due course,” she said.
“The suspects referred to the CPS included individuals and organizations.
“Following these thorough investigations and our careful review of the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have decided there is sufficient evidence to charge six individuals with criminal offences.”
Campaigners and the families of those killed seemed pleased with the result of the inquiry.
“Everybody applauded when it was announced that the most senior police officer on that particular day will have charges presented to him,” said Barry Donalds, whose 18-year-old son Christopher was killed in the disaster.
Leaving a meeting with lawyers and other relatives of the 96, he pumped his fist in a sign of victory.
“It was only right and proper that we fought for our loved ones ... I was frightened we were going to be let down again. We have been smacked in the face on a number of occasions. The families have acted with the utmost of dignity,” he added.
A Sheffield Wednesday spokesman said the club will not comment.