The acquittal of David Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years. Recipe: Ayurvedic Jewish penicillin by Dr Rupy Aujla, Sunaks Brexit deal explained in five points, Messi vs. Ronaldo: all-time goals and statistics. Sir, I am the man in overall control, he replied. Your IP: Match commander tells inquest that watching a documentary made him realise the effect the disaster had on the bereaved families. "I think it's fair to say that it is arguably one of the biggest regrets of my life, that I did not foresee where fans would go when they came in through the gates," he said. Unlike Duckenfield, the families, survivors and those affected by Hillsborough cannot sleep easy. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Why Covid lab-leak theory is now being taken seriously, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. He was. Meanwhile, the families of six victims appeal for a judicial review application to quash the inquest verdict. England and Wales company registration number 2008885, Subscribe to TheWeek. "With all due respect, my lord, 96 people were found unlawfully killed to a criminal standard," she said. The former police chief was barely seen or heard of in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. And it is not his fault those who deserved to face the same scrutiny he did will never be held accountable for the deaths of the 96. The death of two witnesses and contradictions in the evidence of others is cited as part of the reason for the decision. The new Labour government orders a review of the evidence by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith. Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, died in the disaster, said: "I'm shocked and stunned by the verdict of the jury. Judge Sir Peter Openshaw also told jurors the condition could explain Duckenfield's lack of reaction as he sat in the well of the court throughout the trial. "We have immense admiration for the Hillsborough families, survivors and campaigners for what they have achieved and our thoughts remain with them and those 96 Liverpool supporters who went to watch their team and never came home.". He agreed with Michael Mansfield QC, representing 75 families whose relatives were killed in the lethal crush, that he was practising and persisted in a far-reaching deceit on the day, by lying to Football Association and football club officials about his actions. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the verdict did not affect the findings of the Hillsborough inquests, which ruled the victims had been unlawfully killed. David Duckenfield had been appointed Chief Superintendent of the South Yorkshire Police just 19 days before the disaster. And despite the words of regret expressed in 2015, this included the resurrection of shameless claims about ticketless and late supporters. Benjamin Myers QC told the jury his client had become "the focus of blame". 30 years means evidence has been corroded and some people and organisations cannot answer for their actions because they are no longer with us. The then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concludes that there is no new evidence as alleged by the HFSG and their legal representatives, and therefore no grounds for reopening the police investigation into the Hillsborough disaster. A Hillsborough charity music single, a version of He Aint Heavy Hes My Brother, is confirmed as Christmas Number One days later. Duckenfields acquittal underlines that no one has been held responsible for Hillsborough. The new Labour governments home secretary, Jack Straw, notes the discussions but said public concern will not be allayed by a reassurance from the Home Office that there is no new evidence and proposes an independent review. But in November 1991, a House of Lords ruling states that the chief constable of South Yorkshire has admitted liability in negligence in respect of the deaths and physical injuries. Following the broadcast of a television dramatisation of the Hillsborough disaster, the Home Offices Operational Policing Policy Unit writes to Michael Howard, then home secretary, saying it raises the suggestion that some of the victims were still alive at 3.30pm. Start your free trial. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. But then two years ago I had to force myself to look at matters and, as a result, I could only do so with the assistance of doctors. Due to the ongoing proceedings relating to Duckenfield, and a forthcoming trial of two former South Yorkshire police officers and the forces then solicitor on charges of perverting the course of justice, the 30-year memorial ceremonies will be muted. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans in the 1989 disaster. ", "It is important to remember that criminal proceedings have a very different purpose to an inquest.". Duckenfield stood trial earlier this year but the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict and a retrial was ordered. ACC Jackson was alongside Duckenfield within minutes of the match being stopped. South Yorkshire Police match commander, David Duckenfield, is found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter for the deaths of 95 Liverpool fans, in a retrial, by a majority of 9-1. This 1992 family photo shows, from left, her son Thomas . Civil actions seeking damages starts within days of the disaster, both from relatives of the victims and survivors who have suffered physical injuries and psychological effects. There are renewed calls for a fresh inquest or public inquiry. One of the many tragedies of the Hillsborough disaster is the first explanation for what claimed the lives of those men, women and children was a suggestion it was Liverpool supporters who were responsible. Duckenfield was a public servant who failed in his basic duties to the people he was charged with protecting. David Duckenfield is charge with gross negligence manslaughter of 96 victims, while former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell is charged with two health and safety offences. Minimal treatment would have saved many of the victims. He said this as Dolores Steele, Barry Devonside and Trevor Hicks - all of whom lost children, all of whom gave evidence in these trials - were desperately hoping their teenagers would survive. Men, women and children were crushed on the Leppings Lane terrace. Duckenfield retires on medical grounds, suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The High Court quashes the original inquest verdicts of accidental death and orders new inquests. And 30 years means many people, especially families, have had to constantly relive their terrible experience.". Members of the public make 17 complaints that are considered for disciplinary action, which is recommended for David Duckenfield and Bernard Murray, who was ground commander on the day. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The turnstiles became difficult to operate and people were starting to be crushed. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The jury did, however, reach a majority verdict to convict Graham Mackrell, Sheffield Wednesdays then-secretary and safety officer, of failing to take reasonable care of Liverpool supporters safety, by allocating only seven turnstiles for the 10,100 people. It was even more dispiriting to hear the defence barrister, Benjamin Myers QC, recycle all the rancid myths that grew out of Duckenfields dissembling: that fans turned up late, alcohol was a factor and supporters ignored police instructions. The city of Liverpool will today remember the 96 football fans who died at Hillsborough stadium, 30 years to the day since the disaster. 2.17pm: Superintendent Roger Marshall requests for Leppings Lane to be closed to traffic. But the jury accepted the defence case that the 75-year-old was a target of blame who was unfairly singled out for prosecution. Jurors hear how a PCs account of the disaster was changed to remove criticisms of police, but notes about drunk fans were kept in. PC Maxwell Groome was on duty for the match at Sheffield Wednesdays stadium. That a publicly funded authority can lawfully withhold information from a public inquiry charged with finding out why 96 people died at a football match, in order to ensure that it never happened again or that a solicitor can advise such a withholding, without sanction of any sort, may be a matter which should be subject to scrutiny.. Posted on 26 Feb in avondale redbud problems. At the same hearing he admitted a cocktail of errors, ultimately telling his own barrister he accepted his professional failings led to the tragic crush. The only effective way to ensure this sort of scenario is not repeated is accountability. The jury at the inquests returned a verdict of unlawful killing, reversing the 1990 ruling of accidental deaths. "I am really angry but I am trying be calm for these families who have suffered," she said. Around 2,000 fans enter, many heading down a central tunnel and into already busy terrace pens, leading to the tragic crush. The former chief superintendent said he "deeply regretted" not telling then-FA chief executive Graham Kelly that it was his decision that caused the fatal crush saying he would regret the lie "to his dying day". I hoped it would go away. After the longest inquest in British history, lasting 90 days, a verdict of accidental death is returned by a majority verdict of 9-2. Sir Norman Bettison, the former police chief constable accused of blaming fans for the disaster, has all four criminal charges against him dropped. ", Clive Coleman, BBC legal affairs correspondent. The prosecution in the case alleged Duckenfield, 75, had a "personal responsibility" for what happened at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989, where 96 men, women . "The journey that reached today's stage, and will continue, is testament to the perseverance and determination of all involved in the ongoing campaign for justice," the club said. Application for a retrial is refused. "Over this period, I have had to come to terms with reality, and that is why, over the period, you might say I dug my head in the sand, didn't admit things to myself, but I am now very much older, very much wiser, and very much more understanding of the events of the day and have decided to tell the whole truth. A jury failed to reach a verdict in the case of David Duckenfield, the former South Yorkshire police chief superintendent and match commander on the day of the Hillsborough disaster. Supt Murray assures him they will, 2.47pm: Supt Marshall requests, for the first time, for stadium gates to be opened at the Leppings Lane end. On 1 November, a juror is discharged after telling fellow jurors dickhead Duckenfield needs to die, but the judge rules that the trial can proceed. Last year it was confirmed no-one else would face prosecution for the unlawful killing of 96 men, women and children. He admitted that until his evidence this week at these new inquests, he had not confessed to the series of mistakes he has now admitted. No one should have to suffer the emotional damage that comes with such a burden. It also prompts calls for criminal action. He had originally been accused of the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 Liverpool fans, but denied all the charges. When asked if his "negligence" caused the disaster he told the inquest: "I wouldn't use the word negligence sir. By this point he had not even told his boss, the on-call Assistant Chief Constable Walter Jackson, of his order for gates to be opened. Weakest since 2012: UK house price average falls to 257,406. But the Hillsborough families and survivors will find the outcome hard to take and will ask hard questions about the 65m spent on a criminal investigation which has ended with no one convicted for so many lives lost. But this influx caused further crushing inside the stadium, with fans at the front attempting to climb onto the pitch to safety. Former superintendent Roger Marshall agreed match. He said this minutes after he - the man tasked with keeping those people safe - had ordered for exit gates to be opened. I apologise unreservedly to the families and I hope they believe it is a very, very sincere apology. After reviewing 450,000 documents, the Hillsborough Independent Panel publishes a report highlighting police failings and the alleged campaign to blame Liverpool supporters for the disaster. Mr Duckenfield's defence counsel argued the case against him was "deeply unfair". The jury fails to reach a verdict on Duckenfield. Gate C, leading to the Leppings Lane terraces, is opened. 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