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Hillsborough inquests: David Duckenfield 'not best man for the job' Hillsborough inquests: David Duckenfield 'not best man for the job'
(about 2 hours later)
The match commander at Hillsborough has told a jury he "was probably not the best man for the job on the day".The match commander at Hillsborough has told a jury he "was probably not the best man for the job on the day".
Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield was in charge when 96 Liverpool fans were fatally crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989.Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield was in charge when 96 Liverpool fans were fatally crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989.
The new inquests also heard he had "no recent experience" of policing at the stadium before the disaster. The new inquests have also heard he had "no recent experience" of policing at the ground before the disaster.
Mr Duckenfield, 70, said, in hindsight, it was a "serious mistake" to take the match commander role. Mr Duckenfield, now 70, said, with the benefit of hindsight, it was a "serious mistake" to take the commander role.
'Limited' experience'Limited' experience
When the disaster happened, Mr Duckenfield had one season's experience at Hillsborough as a chief inspector, the jury heard.When the disaster happened, Mr Duckenfield had one season's experience at Hillsborough as a chief inspector, the jury heard.
Giving evidence for the first time at the new inquests, he said he had "no anxiety or hesitation" about taking duty as match commander. Previously, the court heard about 2,000 fans entered through an exit gate at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium after Mr Duckenfield gave the order to open it.
He said although he was "delighted at the promotion" he later came to think he "probably was not the best man for the job on the day". Many of them ended up in the central terrace pens where the disaster unfolded.
Mr Duckenfield, dressed in a dark grey suit and purple tie, told the court: "With hindsight, I should have thought about my limited knowledge of the role of a commander in a major event, that was an all-ticket, sell-out, when I had not been responsible, or in that responsible position previously." Giving evidence for the first time at the new inquests, Mr Duckenfield, who first visited the ground two weeks before the match, said he had "no anxiety or hesitation" about taking command.
But at the time he was confident he was able to do it, and was assured he had an experienced team around him, he added. Although he was "delighted at the promotion" he later came to think he "probably was not the best man for the job on the day".
Mr Duckenfield, dressed in a dark grey suit and purple tie, replied: "With hindsight, I should have thought about my limited knowledge of the role of a commander in a major event, that was an all-ticket, sell-out, when I had not been responsible, or in that responsible position previously."
But at the time he was confident he was able to do it, and was assured he had an experienced team around him.
"I did know what the job involved, but no-one, including me, knew what might evolve on the day and what difficulties we may face," he added."I did know what the job involved, but no-one, including me, knew what might evolve on the day and what difficulties we may face," he added.
Mr Duckenfield told the jury he was adamant his predecessor Brian Mole did not offer to help him in his new role, as has been claimed earlier in the inquests. Mr Duckenfield told the jury he was adamant his predecessor, Ch Supt Brian Mole, did not offer to help him in his new role, as had been claimed earlier in the inquests.
He said he had expected an introductory meeting with Mr Mole after accepting the job, but was "disappointed" when this did not happen. He described how he was expecting a "full-day" meeting with Mr Mole, including introductions to Sheffield Wednesday staff as he prepared to take over.
He felt Mr Mole was "jealously guarding" his relationship with Sheffield Wednesday after leaving the match commander post, he said. But he stated: "Sadly for whatever reason, that didn't take place.
Previously, the jury heard that about 2,000 fans entered through an exit gate at the Leppings Lane end after Mr Duckenfield gave the order to open it. "I went to see Mr Mole, expecting to have a whole day with him and he seemed, shall we say, in my view disappointed to be moving, wanting to clear his desk, jealously guarding his relationship, I thought, with Sheffield Wednesday, and offered me little or no advice."
Many of them ended up in the central terrace pens at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium where the disaster unfolded. 'Ground was safe'
Mr Duckenfield said he was not told about a previous crush at Hillsborough during the 1981 FA Cup semi-final between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Had he known about what had happened at that game, he said more attention could have been paid to the Leppings Lane terraces.
He said action could have been taken to "monitor very closely the pens and the influx of supporters to those pens."
Mr Duckenfield told the jury: "Prior to the game, every piece of information I received was 'the ground's safe, the Operational Order caters for our needs, the staff are efficient, you have no concerns, whatsoever'. Because of that, I didn't go searching for something because I didn't know it existed."
Earlier in the inquests former Supt Roger Marshall told the jury he may have mentioned the 1981 crush to Mr Duckenfield.
But Mr Duckenfield denied this, adding: "If he had brought it to my attention prior to the match, I'm sure I would have focused on that and taken the necessary action."
He confirmed to the jury he was familiar with the Green Guide - the government-issued sports ground safety manual.He confirmed to the jury he was familiar with the Green Guide - the government-issued sports ground safety manual.
Mr Duckenfield said he "had knowledge" of South Yorkshire Police's major incident plan - but did not know the codeword used to initiate it. Mr Duckenfield said he "had knowledge" of South Yorkshire Police's major incident plan but not the codeword to initiate it.
"My knowledge of the codeword - well, I didn't know the name and I'm surprised if any of my colleagues did."
He added: "From my point of view, and I'm not being dismissive of the document, the better way, and it's just my way, is: 'this is a major incident' full stop, which means the same and it's better in my view."
The hearing, being held in Warrington, Cheshire, continues.The hearing, being held in Warrington, Cheshire, continues.
Who were the 96 victims?Who were the 96 victims?
BBC News: Profiles of all those who diedBBC News: Profiles of all those who died