13/09/2012

Calls Rise For Fresh Hillsborough Inquest

Following the release of the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel calls for a criminal investigation are increasing.

Former chief constable Richard Wells, who led South Yorkshire Police from 1990 to 1998, has said charges were "absolutely essential" after the damning report into the tragedy.

The panels report found police changed statements and tried to blame fans for a crush, which led to 96 fans dying.

The current chief constable has also said if the law was broken there should be charges.

The report also found that 41 of the 96 who died had the "potential to survive".

The original 1989 inquest into the deaths recorded a verdict of accidental death, attorney general, Dominic Grieve, will decide in the coming weeks whether to order a new inquest.

Legal representatives for the families of the 96 victims said that South Yorkshire police, Sheffield city council and Sheffield Wednesday FC could all face charges for corporate manslaughter.

Michael Mansfield QC, who is acting on behalf of the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) said: "If David Cameron means what he says and justice has to follow truth, then they have a responsibility today to assess not just the question of unlawful killing but the cover-up and the perversion of the course of justice."

(H/GK)


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