After 28 years of campaigning for justice, the families of the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough Disaster of 1989 have been told that six people will face criminal charges which, in some cases, could result in life imprisonment if guilt is proven.
David Duckenfield To Face Manslaughter Charges
It would take all day to give the details of what happened on that afternoon in May 1989, but the short version is that before the FA Cup semi final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest started, a crush developed at the end of the stadium occupied by Liverpool fans.
96 people died as a result of this and in the aftermath it was discovered that there were serious failings in areas of crowd control and safety and the actions of the police officer in charge.
In the weeks and months that followed, there was an official inquiry, but those responsible colluded to create a massive cover up, altered witness statements, pressured witnesses including police officers and medical teams present on the day to lie on their behalf, and also exploited the media (especially the Sun newspaper) to shift the blame for the tragedy onto Liverpool fans.
The families of those who died would not accept this and have fought to obtain justice and to clear their loved ones names.... They have never given up despite numerous knock-backs by the Criminal Justice system. It has taken them 28 years to get these people into court.
Time is, at last, running out for those who wriggled and squirmed and did everything they could to avoid prosecution.
I hope that justice is done, and not only that, it also sends out a message to those who may be responsible for other tragedies such as the recent Grenfell Tower blaze, that they will have to face determined, dogged groups of relatives who just won't quit or go away.