The reaction of South Yorkshire Police Federation to an independent report into the Hillsborough disaster has provoked fury from a survivor and an MP who branded them ‘disgraceful’
A sea of flowers was left at Hillsborough stadium, in memory of the Liverpool fans who died(Image: Bob Thomas/Getty Images)
South Yorkshire Police Federation has been branded a “disgrace” after slamming an independent report into the Hillsborough disaster as a ‘waste of taxpayers’ money’.
It caused widespread anger after releasing its response to the report, claiming ‘elderly’ officers should not face trial by media. It prompted calls online for their “shameful” statement to be taken down, while MP Ian Byrne said their response was “absolutely disgraceful” and blasted the federation for whining.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report earlier today revealed 12 retired police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings under today’s laws over the Hillsborough disaster. It spent 13 years carrying out the largest ever independent investigation into alleged police misconduct and criminality. The report found there were “fundamental failures” and “concerted efforts” to blame fans.
A screen grab from a video of the west terrace of Hillsborough stadium (Image: PA)
A crush on the terraces during the FA Cup semi-final at the stadium in Sheffield resulted in the death of 97 Liverpool fans aged from 10 to 67, on April 15th 1989. They told how because the law was changed in 2017 so that ex-officers are able to answer misconduct charges.
But that law change was not retrospective, and all 12 officers retired before investigations began in 2012.
Families protest after facing the “most unforgivable forms of institutional obstruction” (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
But angry and heartbroken families say they “will never get justice”. Hours after their findings were released, the police federation for South Yorkshire released a statement.
It read: “The report is a significant waste of taxpayers’ time and taxpayers’ money. It is not fair or balanced.
South Yorrelease a statement slamming an independent report into Hillsborough(Image: South Yorkshire Police Federation)
“Former police officers – some of whom are very elderly and some who have sadly passed away – do not have any kind of due process or the ability to formally respond to the allegations made in this report.
“These are opinions of the IOPC essentially being dressed up as statements of almost fact. We emphasise that these are just allegations.
“Our former colleagues do not have and have not had the right to reply to any accusations. They should not face trial by media.
“It is with this context that we should rightly question the value of this much delayed report and its multi million pound cost to the public purse. This report doesn’t help anybody involved in the Hillsborough disaster. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this terrible tragedy.”
Labour MP Ian Byrne has slammed the South Yorkshire Police Federation as ‘absolutely disgraceful’(Image: Handout)
But Ian Byrne MP was left furious with their statement and said on X: “Absolutely disgraceful from the South Yorkshire Police Federation & keeping with tradition sadly & shamefully.
“They dare to whine about ‘trial by media’ when it was their own secretary in 1989 who spread the lies that weaponised the media against Liverpool fans and was fundamental to the cover up. And now they have the nerve to demand fairness and balance?
“Whoever signed this off should consider their position.”
Diane Lynn commented on its website: “As a survivor I, and all the other survivors have faced trial by media since 1989 because of the lies told about us. How about standing up and facing the truth instead of continuing to support the lies.”
At a press conference on Tuesday, held at the office of solicitors Broudie Jackson Canter, which represents several bereaved families, Charlotte Hennessy, whose father Jimmy died in the tragedy, gave her reaction to the report.
Charlotte Hennessy, the daughter of 29-year-old Jimmy Hennessy who was killed at Hillsborough(Image: PA)
“Nobody’s ever going to go to prison for killing them so we’ll never get justice and we knew that.” Instead, she said the report confirmed survivors’ testimony.
Ms Hennessy said: “We will never truly know the full extent of South Yorkshire Police force’s deception, but there is no hiding, there is no destroying, and there is no way to cover up that they failed their duties and then they sought to blame the victims.”
Nicola Brook, a solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter, said it was a “bitter injustice” no-one would be held to account.
“This outcome may vindicate the bereaved families and survivors who have fought for decades to expose the truth – but it delivers no justice.”
Current South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lauren Poultney said she was “deeply sorry for the pain and heartbreak caused” by the force’s “litany of failures”.
“There is nothing I can say today which can take away the years of pain and hurt caused by the force I now lead,” she said.
The Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, said he was “disappointed” with the federation’s response to the IOPC report.
He said: “Today’s IOPC report is another moment to reflect on the tragic events of 36 years ago. For too long, the lie that fans were to blame for Hillsborough has cast a shadow. They weren’t. They never were.
“My heart is with the families and survivors who have carried the burden of fighting to clear their names for decades and who have never seen justice done.
“South Yorkshire Police today is not the force it was then, and the Chief Constable has rightly accepted the IOPC’s findings in full. I’m grateful to her for recognising SYPs shameful role in the events at Hillsborough and continuing to offer her apologies on behalf of the Force.
“That is why I was so disappointed with the response from the South Yorkshire Police Federation.
“Today’s report again makes clear that in all too many cases the police failed to protect people on the day, and following those events they failed to offer a full and honest account of what happened, which is why the families of the 97 have had to fight so hard to get to the truth as we know it today.
“We must never forget what they have been forced to go through by a system that was determined to blame them and keep their stories hidden. That’s where our focus should be, and where my focus will remain long after today.”
