A DAMNING report into the Hillsborough disaster has laid bare a shocking cover-up which attempted to shift the blame for the tragedy on to its victims.
On Wednesday, the families of the 96 Liverpool fans killed 23 years ago said the report had vindicated them but pledged to carry on their fight by pursuing criminal prosecutions against those who they said should “hang their heads in shame”.
Prime Minister David Cameron led a chorus of apologies – including from former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie, current Sun editor Dominic Mohan and the South Yorkshire Police (SYP) Chief Constable – and said that Attorney General Dominic Grieve will review the report as quickly as possible in order to decide whether to apply to the High Court to quash the original, flawed inquest and order a new one.
Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in a crush at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989 where their team were to meet Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final.
A Liverpool fan from Belfast who witnessed the Hillsborough disaster first-hand has spoken of his relief that the truth has finally emerged.
Sam Moore from the Braniel area had travelled to the 1989 ill-fated FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield with a friend.
Speaking to the News Letter last night, he said the vindication of the supporters was “long overdue” and that he hoped it would bring some comfort to the victims’ families.
“This is a good result for the families. It might help to give them some rest but I’m sure it’s still hard to take what has gone on.”
News Letter columnist Nick Garbutt was the news editor of the Daily Post in Liverpool at the time of the tragedy.
In his column on Thursday, he recalls being overwhelmed by the sight of the victims’ pictures piled up on his desk.
“Then it all hit me. I left my desk, went to the toilet, closed the cubicle door and wept,” he said.
Full story in todays News Letter