Hillsborough families in UK label police lack of accountability as disgrace
Families in the UK who lost relatives in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster stated on Tuesday that true justice remains out of reach, regardless of a watchdog's report highlighting fundamental police shortcomings.
A total of ninety seven supporters of Liverpool perished in a crowd crush at the Sheffield stadium in northern England on 15 April 1989, marking the deadliest incident in British sports history.
On Tuesday the United Kingdoms police oversight body released an extensive report after over ten years of probing, identifying lapses in match preparation and policing along with the response to the tragedy.
Although earlier probes had exposed certain issues the Independent Office for Police Conduct inquiry started in 2012 uncovered fresh details providing deeper insight into events following review of 352 grievances.
The incident occurred amid a surge of spectators at one section of Sheffield Wednesdays venue where Liverpool fans attended an FA Cup semi final match.
The investigation determined that twelve ex officers might have encountered charges for serious misconduct and core deficiencies if they were still active. However as they are retired or deceased no court proceedings will occur.
No officer faces any form of discipline said Nicola Brook the principal solicitor for the families during a media briefing. No individual will answer for their actions.
Margaret Aspinall a veteran advocate who lost her 18 year old son James in the event described it as a national outrage that the implicated officers escape without penalty retaining full retirement benefits.
Shift responsibility
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described Hillsborough as one of the gravest policing breakdowns the nation has witnessed.
A bill progressing through parliament will impose a legal obligation on public servants including law enforcement to provide honest responses to investigations.
Additionally in 2017 legislation allowed for legal actions against former officers who had stepped down.
Kathie Cashell Deputy Director General of the IOPC noted that the families ordeal spanning nearly four decades in pursuit of fairness represents a profound embarrassment for the country.
She further criticised the South Yorkshire polices deliberate attempts to pin fault on the Liverpool fans.
A coroners ruling in 2016 delivered a finding of unlawful death after prolonged efforts by the bereaved relatives.
It established that police mistakes in unlocking an exit gate prior to the start led to the deadly overcrowding.
South Yorkshire police acknowledged in 2023 that their handling of crowd control at the fixture was disastrously flawed.