They just walked away...

12 cops evaded gross misconduct probes Victims' families slam lack of accountability

- PHIL CARDY and PATRICK HILL

A 13-YEAR report costing £150million confirmed what the Hillsborough families have feared all along - nobody will face justice over the tragedy.

Instead, the police officers who failed the 97 then launched a decades-long smear campaign against them were allowed to retire and walk away.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct found 12 police officers could have faced gross misconduct proceedings for their actions on the day and afterwards if their cover-up had not worked.

It also upheld or found cases to answer for misconduct in 92 complaints. They include 30 charges of neglect of duty, 27 of falsehood and prevarication, 16 of discreditable conduct and 19 of abuse of authority.

But the law at the time means no officers will face disciplinary proceedings because they had all retired before the probe began.

Charlotte Hennessy, whose dad James, was killed, said: "They've had a decade to write this and I don't think it's worth the paper it's written on. No number of reports will change the facts" Nicola Brook, solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter, acting for several bereaved families, said: "This outcome may vindicate families and survivors who have fought for decades to expose the truth but it delivers no justice.

"Instead, it exposes 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 the right to expect.

NEGLIGENCE

"Yes, the law has now changed so this loophole cannot be used in future. But for those affected by this case, that is no consolation.

"They are left with yet another bitter injustice.

"The truth acknowledged but accountability denied." Those who would have had cases to answer include South Yorkshire Police's then-chief constable Peter Wright and match commander David Duckenfield.