Operation Resolve appoints new lead investigator
The Home Office have confirmed Rob Beckley has been appointed as the new lead in Operation Resolve – the criminal investigation into the Hillsborough disaster.
The former Deputy Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police replaces John Stoddart in the role after he stood down in September due to health reasons.
The Operation Resolve investigation covers the broad sequence of events surrounding the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest that led to the deaths of 96 children, women and men on April 15, 1989.
Assistant Commissioner Beckley said: "My first priority will be to ensure that our case files are submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service by the turn of the year. From what I have seen so far it looks like we are on track to meet that deadline.
"I have already been introduced to many of the Hillsborough families and I look forward to working with them.”
Mr Beckley also paid tribute to Mr Stoddart and the Operation Resolve team for their work to date, insisting they had “already achieved a great deal”.