IPCC to decide on Hillsborough inquiry

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will announce today whether it will hold a full-scale investigation into how the police behaved at the Hillsborough disaster.

Police officers who were involved in the 1989 disaster, in which 96 people died, could potentially face criminal charges if the IPCC uncovers evidence of wrongdoing.

However, Sir Norman Bettison, who announced this month that he is to step down as Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police on 31 March next year, is unlikely to face any disciplinary action as a police officer.

Any investigation would be unlikely to be completed before April and the IPCC has no powers to issue misconduct proceedings against former officers. Sir Norman was referred to the IPCC for allegedly putting out misleading information about the tragedy, and for his comments about fans when the latest inquiry report was released.