'Accidental death' verdict quashed as new inquest into Hillsborough disaster is ordered

96 Liverpool football fans died in the crush at Hillsborough 23 years ago

Stony-faced, eyes watering, they sat amongst the splendour of the Royal Courts of Justice listening yet again to the “gruesome carnage” of the day their relatives were crushed to death at Hillsborough.

Some cradled their heads in their hands in the hush of the court as Attorney General Dominic Grieve argued that it was time to order new inquests, time to give the families of the 96 fatally injured that day the justice they craved.

When their “bitter sweet” victory came, the celebration escalated slowly – a smattering of smiles, then respectful applause, a few hugs followed by tears. Finally, some broke down in sobs, evidence, as if it were needed, of the searing grief of those left behind when so many Liverpool fans perished during that tragically historic FA Cup semi-final in 1989.

Today as Home Secretary Theresa May ordered a fresh police investigation into the disaster, the country’s most senior judge the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, quashed the original accidental death verdicts and ordered a new coronial investigation be launched as swiftly as possible.

“The interests of justice must be served,” said Lord Judge “However distressing, the truth will be brought to light”.

More than a hundred relatives ignored the opportunity to watch events by video-link from Liverpool and rose in the early hours of yesterday morning to make the journey to the High Court in London.

In marked contrast to the contempt with which the football fans were dismissed as drunken louts in the immediate aftermath of the horror, relatives and survivors were treated like dignitaries. When the sheer numbers made it impossible for them all to be in court and some were diverted to a video-link nearby, Lord Judge himself personally visited them to apologise for the fact they were in a separate court.

Later he added: “We must record our admiration and respect for their determined search for the truth about the circumstances of the disaster and why and how it had occurred, which - despite disappointments and setbacks - has continued for nearly quarter of a century.”

Mr Grieve, who argued the case on their behalf, met with them afterwards, shaking hands and insisting: “I would just like to say how grateful I am to you all for coming down. I hope this inquest will be able to take place as soon as possible.”

“It is overwhelming, a very bitter sweet moment and quite a bit to take in. It is a fabulous day, after all the hard work we have done over 23 years,” said Stephen Kelly, whose 38-year-old brother Michael perished that day, one of more than half that could have been saved with swift medical attention.

Commenting on Mrs May’s announcement of a new police inquiry led by former Durham Chief Constable Jon Stoddart, which could trigger criminal prosecutions, he added: “If anyone is guilty now is the time for them to have sleepless nights as we have had for over 23 years.”

The latest developments follow a damning report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel that uncovered a cover-up that attempted to shift the blame on the victims. It found clear operational failures in the response to the disaster, insisted the victims were not exceptionally drunk, as originally suggested, and around half could have survived.

“Thanks to the work of the Hillsborough Independent Panel it was made clear that the medical evidence underpinning the original inquests, and relied upon in subsequent reviews and inquiries, was fundamentally unsound,” Mr Grieve said yesterday.

”In addition, the statements concerning the actions of the police and emergency services, and the original evidence concerning the alcohol consumption of the deceased, give rise to questions that fresh inquests should address,” he added.

Further expert analysis of medical evidence commissioned by the Attorney General assessed that 58 “definitely or probably” could have survived, 25 were likely to have died swiftly while 12 more were unclear. Mr Grieve argued that an inquest – similar to that held for the victims of the 7th July bombings – should re-examine all the case, including that of Tony Bland, 28, who was in a persistent vegetative state until he died four years later

There was tearful jubilation as the families left court yesterday, having witnessed in the words of Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson a “watershed moment”.

Trevor Hicks, chairman of the Family Support Group who lost his daughters Sarah, 19, and Victoria, 15, added: “Justice is on its way. Everything we've said has been proven to be correct.”

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Latest in Sport
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

New day (slowly) rising – As Brasileirão gets underway, Brazilian football stumbles, rather than leaps into the future

The average Serie A crowd last year was 13,000 - comparable to Australia’s A-League.

by James Young

iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco

Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages

Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...

by Martin Ayres

       

Day In a Page

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

John Madin: The man who built Brum

The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats