Bereaved families of the Hillsborough disaster have declared there is 'no justice' after the publication of a long-awaited report into police conduct, which found that 12 officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings but will escape any punishment.
Decades-Long Investigation Yields Damning Verdict
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded a 13-year, £150 million investigation into the 1989 stadium crush that killed 97 Liverpool fans. The probe, the largest of its kind in England and Wales, identified fundamental failures on the day and 'concerted efforts' to blame supporters in the aftermath.
It upheld or found cases to answer for misconduct in 92 complaints about police actions. In total, the report made more than a hundred findings of misconduct or gross misconduct. However, due to a legal loophole, not a single officer will face a disciplinary panel as all had retired before the investigations began.
Key Figures Identified and Families' Anguish
The IOPC stated that, if still serving, those with cases to answer for gross misconduct would have included then-chief constable Peter Wright and match commander David Duckenfield. The report found Duckenfield 'froze in the crisis' and later lied about fans forcing entry.
Also named was Sir Norman Bettison, a chief inspector at the time who later led Merseyside Police. He would have faced action for alleged dishonesty about his involvement. Mounted officer David Scott was cited for claiming his horse suffered cigarette burns—an incident evidence suggests did not occur.
Nicola Brook, a solicitor for several families, said: "This outcome may vindicate the bereaved families... but it delivers no justice. It exposes a system that has allowed officers to simply walk away, retiring without scrutiny, sanction or consequence."
Family reactions were scathing. Charlotte Hennesey, who lost her father James, said: "I don't think it's worth the paper it's written on." Debbie Matthews, whose brother Brian died, added: "We've already been through hell and back and it feels like they are kicking us again."
A Legacy of Systemic Failure
The IOPC's deputy director general, Kathie Cashell, said victims and families were 'repeatedly let down'. Failures began with complacent match preparation by South Yorkshire Police and a fundamental failure to manage the disaster as it unfolded on 15 April 1989.
This was compounded by the force's campaign to deflect blame onto fans, a narrative wholly refuted by the 2016 inquests which concluded the 97 were unlawfully killed. The report also criticised the subsequent 'inexplicably narrow' investigation by West Midlands Police, calling it a missed opportunity.
The only conviction resulting from all probes was that of former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, who was fined for a health and safety breach. The full IOPC report, running to thousands of pages, will be placed in the National Archives next year, with only a 400-page summary released now.
For the families, the conclusion is one of bitter resignation: the truth acknowledged, but accountability permanently out of reach.
