A major new police watchdog report has for the first time implicated officers from a second force in potentially helping to undermine the decades-long fight for truth and justice after the Hillsborough disaster.
Damning Findings on Police Failures
The report, published today by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), incorporates years of investigation. It concludes that South Yorkshire Police (SYP) fundamentally failed in its planning for the 1989 FA Cup semi-final and in its response as the tragedy unfolded, before attempting to deflect blame onto Liverpool supporters.
For the first time, the probe also scrutinised the actions of West Midlands Police (WMP), which was tasked with investigating the disaster and supporting the subsequent Taylor Inquiry. The IOPC branded WMP's investigation "wholly unsatisfactory and inexplicably narrow," with evidence of bias from senior officers in favour of SYP.
No Officers Face Discipline Despite Gross Misconduct Findings
The report states that, were they still serving, several high-ranking former officers would face gross misconduct proceedings. This includes former SYP Chief Constable Peter Wright, match commander David Duckenfield, and former Merseyside Chief Constable Norman Bettison.
From West Midlands Police, former Assistant Chief Constable Mervyn Jones and ex-Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Foster would also have faced gross misconduct cases for alleged bias and investigative failures. In total, the IOPC upheld 92 complaints, with findings against 10 SYP and 2 WMP officers.
However, not a single officer will face disciplinary action as all had retired before the investigations began. A solicitor for bereaved families called this outcome "yet another bitter injustice."
A National Shame and a Call for Candour
IOPC Deputy Director General Kathie Cashell stated the affected families "have been repeatedly let down" and that their ordeal is a "source of national shame." The report confirms the conclusions of the 2016 inquests, which found the 97 victims were unlawfully killed, and reiterates there is zero evidence that fan behaviour caused the disaster.
The investigation uncovered that a shocking 327 statements from officers were amended as part of SYP's defensive strategy. Ms Cashell highlighted that the new Public Office Accountability Bill, introducing a legal duty of candour, might have prevented the long fight for truth had it existed in 1989.
The report is the largest independent investigation into alleged police misconduct in England and Wales, but the watchdog acknowledged the process had taken "too long" for the families who "deserved better."
