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Hillsborough victims' families welcome inquiry into police misconduct Hillsborough victims' families welcome inquiry into police misconduct
(35 minutes later)
The families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster have welcomed the announcement of a major inquiry into police misconduct and the possibility that manslaughter charges could be brought by the Crown Prosecution Service.The families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster have welcomed the announcement of a major inquiry into police misconduct and the possibility that manslaughter charges could be brought by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James in the tragedy and is chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: "I can only repeat again what we said four weeks ago: the truth is out there. I think the time is now for accountability." Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son, James, in the tragedy and is chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: "I can only repeat again what we said four weeks ago: the truth is out there. I think the time is now for accountability.
Liverpool FC's managing director, Ian Ayre, said: "This is another significant step forward in the campaign for justice for Hillsborough families and survivors. "Accountability is the most important thing and responsibility, and also to make sure that this never ever happens again. I think that is very important, not just for the families but for the country as a whole, because I think the country has been shamed by what has gone on over Hillsborough 23 years ago.
"I think it's a shame on the country, a shame on the system and a shame on the governments and I think that has got to be changed, and that is a good thing that will come from this."
She added: "Obviously they are going to look back at all the serving policemen on that day and I think that is a great thing to do because there were so many involved as part of that cover-up."
Liverpool football club's managing director, Ian Ayre, said: "This is another significant step forward in the campaign for justice for Hillsborough families and survivors.
"We will follow the progress of this investigation and remain resolute in our support of the families and survivors as they continue with their battle to bring those responsible for the tragedy to justice.""We will follow the progress of this investigation and remain resolute in our support of the families and survivors as they continue with their battle to bring those responsible for the tragedy to justice."
Ninety-six people died and more than 760 were injured in a human crush during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield.Ninety-six people died and more than 760 were injured in a human crush during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield.
Commenting on the investigation into Sir Norman Bettison, the West Yorkshire chief constable who was at the match as a spectator and later took part in a South Yorkshire police internal inquiry, Les Carter, the vice-chairman of the West Yorkshire police authority, said: "The police authority's special committee met again recently and decided to voluntarily refer a conduct matter concerning the chief constable to the IPCC [Independent Police Complaints Commission] for an independent investigation. Commenting on the investigation into Sir Norman Bettison, the West Yorkshire chief constable who was at the match as a spectator and later took part in a South Yorkshire police internal inquiry, Les Carter, the vice-chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Authority, said: "The police authority's special committee met again recently and decided to voluntarily refer a conduct matter concerning the chief constable to the IPCC [Independent Police Complaints Commission] for an independent investigation.
"We will offer the commission every assistance in what we hope will be a prompt and proportionate investigation, but we do not think it is appropriate to elaborate further as we don't want to prejudice it in any way.""We will offer the commission every assistance in what we hope will be a prompt and proportionate investigation, but we do not think it is appropriate to elaborate further as we don't want to prejudice it in any way."
West Yorkshire police said Bettison had previously welcomed an investigation into Hillsborough and had nothing further to add.West Yorkshire police said Bettison had previously welcomed an investigation into Hillsborough and had nothing further to add.
A spokesman said: "Sir Norman Bettison has consistently made the point since September 15, three days after the report was published, that these were matters that needed to be investigated formally and fairly by the IPCC. A spokesman said: "Sir Norman Bettison has consistently made the point since 15 September, three days after the report was published, that these were matters that needed to be investigated formally and fairly by the IPCC.
"At the time, he immediately welcomed the police authority's decision to refer this matter. He is on record as saying he is keen to co-operate with the IPCC inquiry, but now that has been launched, he has nothing further to add.""At the time, he immediately welcomed the police authority's decision to refer this matter. He is on record as saying he is keen to co-operate with the IPCC inquiry, but now that has been launched, he has nothing further to add."
The chief constable of West Midlands police, Chris Sims, said he welcomed the inquiry into the role of West Midlands police after the tragedy.The chief constable of West Midlands police, Chris Sims, said he welcomed the inquiry into the role of West Midlands police after the tragedy.
"As chief constable I read the Hillsborough independent panel report and immediately referred West Midlands police to the IPCC. Today, the IPCC have accepted that referral and West Midlands police will give their full support to the IPCC investigation.""As chief constable I read the Hillsborough independent panel report and immediately referred West Midlands police to the IPCC. Today, the IPCC have accepted that referral and West Midlands police will give their full support to the IPCC investigation."
The former home secretary David Blunkett, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, said the investigation should not reflect unfairly on all current or former South Yorkshire officers.
He said: "It is entirely right that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that the families of the victims of events 23 years ago can be assured that the truth has been revealed and those who have not been held to account should have to be.
"I hope that this can be done by cooling the temperature in a way that allows fairness for individuals and a reflection of the many officers in the South Yorkshire force who, on that tragic day, were doing their best in circumstances not of their making and where they themselves were deeply critical of the leadership they were failing to receive.
"It is critical that the present South Yorkshire force are not pilloried and that the morale of those now serving should be maintained."