CPS announces criminal charges in relation to Hillsborough
The Crown Prosecution Service today announced that six individuals will face criminal charges in relation to the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath.
Following the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in September 2012 and the subsequent quashing of the original inquest verdicts, investigations were launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Operation Resolve.
The new inquests into the tragedy concluded in April 2016 with determinations of unlawful killing in the case of each and every one of the 96 victims of the events on April 15, 1989.
In January this year, the IPCC and Operation Resolve referred files of evidence from their investigations to the CPS for consideration of possible offences.
Today’s statement said…
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today (June 28) announced its charging decisions in relation to the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath.
Sue Hemming, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, made the announcement to families of the deceased at a private meeting in Warrington this morning.
She said: "Following our careful review of the evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge six individuals with criminal offences.
"Criminal proceedings have now commenced and the defendants have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
Charges have been authorised against:
- David Duckenfield, who was the Match Commander for South Yorkshire Police on the day of the disaster
- Graham Henry Mackrell, who was Sheffield Wednesday Football Club's company secretary and safety officer at the time of the disaster in 1989
- Peter Metcalf, the solicitor acting for the South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests
- Former Chief Superintendent Donald Denton of South Yorkshire Police
- Former Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster of South Yorkshire Police
- Norman Bettison, a former officer with South Yorkshire Police and subsequently Chief Constable of Merseyside and West Yorkshire Police
The decisions have also this morning been relayed to other interested parties, including the defendants and other suspects who were referred to the CPS by Operation Resolve and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
For more information, visit the Crown Prosecution Service website here.