Lord Justice Taylor concludes that the most fans were not drunk, nor even the worse for drink and highlights contributing factors including opening exit gates to allow fans into the ground and failing to delay kick-off. Ch Supt Duckenfield reacted to the build-up of supporters outside the ground by ordering the gates to be opened before the game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Duckenfield had agreed earlier that he had not acted as a reasonably competent match commander on the day, due to the mistakes he made. The retired chief . This is because he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused. During days of intense questioning at the inquests in March 2015, he admitted that he had lied about mistakes he made on the day and had kept that lie going for 26 years and through several legal inquiries. "30 years means myths took root about fans being a cause of the disaster, now unequivocally shown by both defence and prosecution evidence to be wrong. The FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest ends in tragedy as a crush at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesdays Hillsborough stadium leads to the death of 96 Liverpool fans, with more than 750 people injured. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. For one teacher, it was a life well-lived. Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, 69, stood trial alongside Duckenfield in January and was found guilty of a health and safety offence for failing to ensure there were enough turnstiles to prevent unduly large crowds building up outside the ground. South Yorkshire coroner Dr Stefan Popper begins the inquest process into the deaths, but only considers events up until 3.15pm on the day of the disaster, nine minutes after the match was stopped, so the role of the emergency services after the disaster does not come under scrutiny. After Duckenfield mentioned the contribution in the police control room of Bernard Murray, who was a superintendent but has since died, Menon asked him if he was seeking to blame other people. David Duckenfield, who as an inexperienced chief superintendent in the South Yorkshire police was in charge of the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, admitted he had not told the whole truth about mistakes he made on the day, through a succession of legal inquiries since 1989. The jury did, however, reach a majority verdict to convict Graham Mackrell, Sheffield Wednesdays then-secretary and safety officer, of failing to take reasonable care of Liverpool supporters safety, by allocating only seven turnstiles for the 10,100 people. As the families continue to campaign, ITV screens a drama about the disaster written by Jimmy McGovern. Labour MP Andy Burnhams address to the 20th anniversary memorial service is interrupted by chants of Justice for the 96. They live with the misery every day. What's he waiting for? The HFSG is granted permission for a private manslaughter prosecution against Mr Duckenfield and Mr Murray. He admitted that until his evidence this week at these new inquests, he had not confessed to the series of mistakes he has now admitted. "I would like to know who is responsible for my father's death because someone is.". He had no experience managing soccer matches, let alone an FA Cup semi-final. The former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent, 75, was in charge of the FA Cup semi-final in which 96 fans were fatally injured. Paul Robinson, whose brother Steven was killed in the stadium crush, said: "As a family we would like to thank all those who have supported us over the years in our quest for justice and accountability. News. Application for a retrial is refused. That cowardly deceit set the tone for everything that followed. It also prompts calls for criminal action. He was initially accused of telling lies about the culpability of fans and his role in the event, reports the BBC. But then two years ago I had to force myself to look at matters and, as a result, I could only do so with the assistance of doctors. The High Court rejects an application for judicial review of the inquest verdicts brought by six representative families. They knew the law would let them down. All this had been comprehensively dismissed at the inquests. Hennesseys daughter Charlotte, who was six at the time of the disaster, has had the course of her existence changed. Mackrell, who sought in his defence to blame Liverpool supporters for the dangerous congestion that developed at the turnstiles, will be sentenced on 13 May. Judge Sir Peter Openshaw rejects a defence application to ban reporting on the Hillsborough trial until the jury delivers its verdict. David Duckenfield can finally rest easily. The Crown Prosecution Service says changes in the evidence of two witnesses and the death of a third meant that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. asked if this was a "ploy" and a step to "sever the link between the opening of the gate and what . The matchday commander at Hillsborough was found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter charges pertaining to his role in the football disaster 30. "I would like to know who is responsible for my father's death because someone is.". It may sound like a clich to say lessons must be learnt, but todays verdict means this has never been more relevant or important. BBC News Inquests into the 96 football fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster have concluded they were unlawfully killed. The families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, the survivors who managed to get out of the overcrowded pens at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesdays ground, and the campaigners who have fought relentlessly for justice for decades were expecting the verdict. Lord Justice Peter Taylors interim report into the tragedy puts the blame on South Yorkshire Police. He said this as schoolboys, sisters, a dad and his son were among those crushed inside pens created because they were treated like thugs rather than humans. ", To the families he added: "It has now dawned on me what it means to you, and I am dreadfully sorry. It was closed after 26 seconds and around 150 supporters are believed to have entered. When all Hillsborough legal proceedings are concluded we should, as a society, take time to consider these matters and learn lessons. The story prompts a boycott of the paper on Merseyside, still upheld by many today. Supporters were not responsible for what happened. At that point, Duckenfield gave the command to open another gate to the stadium and about 2,000 fans then made their way into the ground. The Crown Prosecution Service announces that six people are to be charged with offences in relation to the disaster Mr Duckenfield is charged with manslaughter and former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell for health and safety offences. For all that time, the families of those who died, and the survivors of the crush, have campaigned for justice and accountability. David Duckenfield found not guilty over Hillsborough disaster Hillsborough: Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary fined 6,500 Sheffield Wednesday FC is also criticised for an inadequate. 2.52pm: After a third request to open the gates from Supt Marshall - who this time says there is a risk of injury or death if it is not done - Duckenfield orders them to be opened. All rights reserved. The new Hillsborough inquests start in Warrington, and go on to become the longest case ever heard by a British jury. Attempting to explain his words in Warrington, he said: I was probably deeply ashamed, embarrassed, greatly distressed and I probably didnt want to admit to myself or anyone else, what the situation is.". "But, as both counsel have advised you and I will now direct you, as you go about your duty you must put aside your emotions and sympathies, either for the bereaved families or indeed for Mr Duckenfield, and decide the case with a cold, calm and dispassionate review of the evidence that you have heard in court.". Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. What happened in Sheffield was beyond horrific. The only effective way to ensure this sort of scenario is not repeated is accountability. The report also accuses police chief David Duckenfield, who was responsible for the match, of blunders of the first magnitude. Expert policing witness Douglas Hopkins said this was a potential warning sign. "Everybody knew the truth, the fans and police knew the truth that we'd opened the gates," he said. 0 . He said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe - had ordered for exit gates to be opened. A jury found the former South. Following a public announcement by Labour minister Andy Burnham, concerning the possible early release of Hillsborough-related documents, the HFSG meets with the home secretary and the Hillsborough Independent Panel is set up. Ben Myers QC made the claim in his. So ashamed, embarrassed, distressed that at a later boardroom meeting of officials he failed to correct his lie - with one inquest witness claiming he actually repeated it. When Mr Duckenfield, the police officer in charge of keeping people safe at Hillsborough in 1989, attempted to apologise for the deaths of 96 people, the family members listening to his testimony gasped. Performance & security by Cloudflare. "We, the families, have fought for 30 years valiantly.". Mr Mackrell is fined 6,500 for the offence, sparking outrage from victims relatives who called the penalty shameful. After the verdict a CPS statement said that the decision of the jury does not affect the findings in the inquest which ruled the victims of the tragedy were unlawfully killed. And yet 23 minutes later he suggested it was the supporters, some of whom were dying beneath him, who were responsible. HILLSBOROUGH DISASTER- DAVID DUCKENFIELD FOUND NOT GUILTY, David Duckenfield was in charge the day 96 Liverpool fans were killed at Hillsborough, David Duckenfield has been cleared of gross negligence manslaughter, Hillsborough football ground shown to the inquests, Police and fans on the pitch at Hillsborough football stadium in Sheffield on April 15 1989, The disaster claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans. Thirty years later he remained a man who sought, via his lawyers, to do the same thing. No one should have to suffer the emotional damage that comes with such a burden. David Duckenfield, who was the chief superintendent in charge of the game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, told FA officials at 3.15pm that "a gate had been forced and there had been an. After the longest inquest in British history, lasting 90 days, a verdict of accidental death is returned by a majority verdict of 9-2. Inquests into the 96 football fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster have concluded they were unlawfully killed. The former match commander's solicitor, Ian Lewis, said: "David is of course relieved that the jury has found him not guilty, however his thoughts and sympathies remain with the families of those who lost their loved ones. The farriers prosecution for perverting the course of justice is found not to be in the public interest and there is insufficient evidence against the police officer. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Reaction as David Duckenfield is cleared of manslaughter, argued the case against him was "deeply unfair", Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Beer and wine sales in Canada fall to all-time low, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US. Around 2,000 fans enter, many heading down a central tunnel and into already busy terrace pens, leading to the tragic crush. The crown's case was that the Chief Superintendent's failings were so extraordinary that they met that test. Duckenfield, a retired chief superintendent, 75, denied the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supporters at the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989. Home secretary Theresa May orders a new criminal investigation into the disaster, Operation Resolve. But he now admits the crush occurred after he ordered an exit gate to be opened allowing 2,000 Liverpool fans to enter the stadium in just five minutes. Ninety-six men, women and children died following the crush on the terrace but, under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim Tony Bland as he died more than a year and a day after the disaster. 91.195.53.16 But the Hillsborough families and survivors will find the outcome hard to take and will ask hard questions about the 65m spent on a criminal investigation which has ended with no one convicted for so many lives lost. Douglas Hopkins said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe had... 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