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Issue:- 13 September 2012

The shocking truth is now revealed

THE horrific findings of the Hillsborough disclosure have now been revealed and conform to what many in Liverpool fans and relatives have said all along. It has taken more than 2 decades, for the truth to be found and presented to the world. On Wednesday, 12 September 2012, the true scope of what is an unforgivable set of events by the authorities and some of the UK’s national press has been fully exposed. The independent panel, that was chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool, The Right Reverend James Jones, who analysed documents relating to the disaster from more than 80 organisations and in the summary of it found:-

1. The safety of the crowds attending the ground was known to be compromised well before the tragedy occurred, but the powers did nothing to stop it.

2. New evidence about how the authorities failed, including documents which show a delay from the emergency services when people were being crushed, and shortcomings in the response by the Ambulance Service and other emergency services in addition to failings by Police.

3. Rescue attempts were held back by failures of leadership and co-ordination.

4. Victims' families were correct in their belief that some of the authorities attempted to create a:- "completely unjust" account of events that sought to blame the fans.

5. "Despicable untruths" about the behaviour of fans were part of Police efforts:- "to develop and publicise a version of events that focused on allegations of drunkenness, ticketlessness and violence."

6. Police officers carried out police national computer checks on those who had died in an attempt:- "to impugn the reputations of the deceased."

7. No evidence of any government trying to conceal the truth.

Bishop Jones said that:- "Our job has simply been to oversee the maximum possible disclosure of all the documents and to write a report which adds to public understanding and therefore our terms of reference don't actually allow us to make any recommendation. The documents speak for themselves."

Just before the panel announced the findings the PM David Cameron, in the Commons announced their reaction. “Today's report is black and white. The Liverpool fans 'were not the cause of the disaster'." Mr Cameron also told the House of Commons that the panel had found that the safety of the crowds at Hillsborough had been "compromised at every level". Calls in parliament are now being heard loud and clear for a full investigation and a new inquest to be held. To read the full statement made by the PM, please visit the BBC website.

The current Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, David Crompton has now publicly stated:- “On 15 April 1989, 96 Liverpool fans went to Hillsborough to watch the FA Cup Semi Final and died as a result of the Disaster. On that day South Yorkshire Police failed the victims and families. The Police lost control. In the immediate aftermath senior officers sought to change the record of events. Disgraceful lies were told which blamed the Liverpool fans for the disaster. Statements were altered which sought to minimise Police blame. These actions have caused untold pain and distress for over 23 years. I am profoundly sorry for the way the force failed on 15 April 1989 and I am doubly sorry for the injustice that followed and I apologise to the families of the 96 and Liverpool fans. South Yorkshire Police is a very different place in 2012 from what it was 23 years ago and we will be fully open and transparent in helping to find answers to the questions posed by the Panel today.”

Also some of the press came under fire and the former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie, who wrote the headline:- “The Truth”, has offered his:- "profuse apologies to the people of Liverpool" In the statement Mr Mackenzie told the press that:- "I offer my profuse apologies to the people of Liverpool for that headline. I too was totally misled. 23 years ago I was handed a piece of copy from a reputable news agency in Sheffield in which a senior Police officer and a senior local MP were making serious allegations against fans in the stadium. I had absolutely no reason to believe that these authority figures would lie and deceive over such a disaster. As the Prime Minister has made clear these allegations were wholly untrue and were part of a concerted plot by Police officers to discredit the supporters thereby shifting the blame for the tragedy from themselves. It has taken more than 2 decades, 400,000 documents and a 2 year inquiry to discover to my horror that it would have been far more accurate had I written the headline The Lies rather than The Truth. I published in good faith and I am sorry that it was so wrong."

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said:- “I very much welcome the Prime Minister's apology on behalf of the Government. It is a momentous day that the families and the City have waited 23 years for. It is absolutely clear for everyone to see that those affected were victims not only of a terrible event, but also of an unforgivable miscarriage of justice. They were aided and abetted by some sections of the media, who should now apologise for misleading the nation and smearing the reputation of Liverpool FC fans and the City. It is to the credit of families that they have never given up on their quest to find out what happened on that dreadful day. Now that we finally have the truth of what happened in 1989, we must make sure the families get the justice they deserve. I am calling on the Attorney to apply to the High Court immediately to quash the original inquest verdicts so that a fresh inquiry can be held. Furthermore, those who played a role in the cover up should be brought to account for their deceit and corruption. The people of Liverpool will stand shoulder to shoulder with the families as we seek to make sure they get justice they have sought for so long. We will never forget the impact Hillsborough disaster had on the bereaved families, on the lives of those who were caught up in the disaster and the long journey the entire city has had to endure for the truth to be heard. We know the City will want to stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected by Hillsborough and share their sadness together, as a City and as a region; we will support each other through this emotional time. We would like to thank anyone who made this momentous and significant milestone possible.”

We, the people of Merseyside should continue to the support of representatives and the families of those affected by the Hillsborough tragedy and show them that they will “Never Walk Alone.” The 96 who died at the Sheffield Wednesday's ground, in 1989, will never be forgotten. Let’s hope justice now will prevail!