Families and witnesses are devastated after the long-awaited final report into the Hillsborough disaster was published today.
After 14 years of investigations, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found police failures led to the deaths of 97 people at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, but no officers will face disciplinary action.
The report confirmed known injustices, but offered little retribution for anyone, highlighting decades of legal battles for no accountability.
Stephen, a lifetime Everton fan, who lived next to the stadium at the time said: “I feel devastated that no one will be held accountable for a disaster that could have been prevented by people in authority, who could and should have made better decisions that could have prevented this loss of life.”
Initial inquiries repeatedly shifted blame onto fans, a narrative which was later proven to be false.
Families have fought for decades through inquiries, appeals and inquests to seek accountability and truth and in 2016 a jury found the deaths to be unlawful killings due to police negligence.
The report today also criticised West Midlands Police biased 1989 investigation and upheld more than 110 complaints of misconduct, including attempts to deflect blame onto supporters.
Despite acknowledging wrongdoing, the watchdog noted insufficient evidence for prosecution due to the passage of time.
Stephen also added: “To say no one is accountable is a shame on the investigation, and those making decisions in this event, and it feels like a cover-up, or the investigation team do not have the backbone to call out those responsible.”
Charlotte Hennessy, whose father died in the tragedy, spoke at a press conference held at the office of solicitors Broudie Jackson Canter.
Charlotte said: “Nobody’s ever going to go to prison for killing them, so we’ll never get justice, and we knew that.
“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.”
