There's still no justice

12 officers should have been charged over tragedy, says report

- BY PHIL CARDY and PATRICK HILL

A 13-YEAR report costing €170million confirmed what the Hillsborough families have feared all along - nobody will face justice over the tragedy.

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

The Independent Office for Police Conduct in the UK found 12 police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings for their actions on the day and afterwards.

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 Hennesey, 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.

Norman Bettison, who went on to become chief constable of Merseyside Police, is another.