'Hillsborough 97's legacy must be justice in law'

The Liverpool City Region mayor said the "legacy of the 97" must now be justice in the Hillsborough Law after a report confirmed no-one would be held to account for the disaster.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found 12 retired police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings under today's laws over the 1989 crush.

Steve Rotheram said "97 innocent fans were unlawfully killed" yet no-one had been "held accountable through our justice system".

He said the new law progressing through Parliament forcing public officials to tell the truth during probes into major disasters would help to ensure no other bereaved families have to endure the Hillsborough families' ordeal.

The long-awaited IOPC report found there were "fundamental failures" and "concerted efforts" to blame fans.

Ex-South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Peter Wright and ex-Ch Supt David Duckenfield are among officers who would have had cases to answer for gross misconduct over the death of 97 Liverpool fans in the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.

The IOPC also said a thirteenth officer would have had a misconduct case to answer under today's laws.

However, the law at the time means no officers will face disciplinary proceedings because they had all retired before the IOPC's probe began in 2012.

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, which is commonly referred to as the Hillsborough Law, will force public bodies to co-operate with investigations into major disasters or potentially face criminal sanctions, as well as provide legal funding to those affected by state-related disasters.

The IOPC investigation ran alongside Operation Resolve, a criminal inquiry focused on the day of the disaster.

Both were set up in 2012 following revelations of a widespread cover-up in which police leaders were found to have spread false narratives blaming Liverpool fans and withheld evidence of their own failings.

In response to the IOPC's long-awaited report, Rotheram said it "could - and should - have been a watershed moment for the 97 and their families".

"A moment when, finally, some of those responsible were confronted with the truth they've spent decades avoiding," he said.

"Instead, it feels like another missed opportunity.

"After a 13-year investigation, the IOPC's report is too little, too late.

"It tells us nothing the Hillsborough families haven't carried with them for years: that their loved ones were catastrophically failed and then vilified in a disgraceful cover-up.

"The truth remains: 97 innocent people - British citizens - were unlawfully killed. Yet no individual or institution has ever been held accountable through our justice system."

He continued: "There's been no collective responsibility for the catastrophic failures that led to the disaster.

"No reckoning for the officers who shirked their duties and led a campaign to blame Liverpool supporters, and no closure for the families who've fought with dignity, strength and courage."

Rotheram said justice remained "agonisingly out of reach".

"The legacy of the 97 must now be justice in law," he said.

"The Hillsborough Law - currently progressing through Parliament - would help ensure that no other bereaved families are ever forced to endure such a prolonged, unconscionable ordeal."

His comments came after bereaved families gave their response to the IOPC's findings at a press conference.

Charlotte Hennessy, whose father Jimmy died in the tragedy, said: "Nobody's ever going to go to prison for killing them so we'll never get justice and we knew that."

Instead, she said the report confirmed survivors' testimonies.

"We will never truly know the full extent of South Yorkshire Police force's deception, but there is no hiding, there is no destroying, and there is no way to cover up that they failed their duties and then they sought to blame the victims."

Current South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lauren Poultney said she was "deeply sorry for the pain and heartbreak caused" by the force's "litany of failures".

She said: "There is nothing I can say today which can take away the years of pain and hurt caused by the force I now lead."

Nicola Brook, a solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter, who represents several bereaved families, said it was a "bitter injustice" no-one would be held to account.

She said the watchdog report exposed "a system that has allowed officers to simply walk away, retiring without scrutiny, sanction or consequence for failing to meet the standards the public has every right to expect".

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