Prime Minister David Cameron has apologised to the families that suffered during the Hillsborough disaster after a new report by the Independent Hillsborough Panel into previously unseen documents was released.“What happened that day - and since - was wrong.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron Apologises to Hillsborough Families
David Cameron has issued a public apology over the Hillsborough Disaster after a new report looking at unseen documents was released.
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Cameron said: “It was wrong that the responsible authorities knew Hillsborough did not meet minimum safety standards and yet still allowed the match to go ahead.
”It was wrong that the families have had to wait for so long - and fight so hard - just to get to the truth.
Cameron also spoke on the role of South Yorkshire Police in the incident, and revealed in the House of Commons that 164 police statements were altered and criminal checks were carried out in order to “impugn the reputations of the deceased”. He added: “It was wrong that the police changed the records of what happened and tried to blame the fans.
”We ask the police to do difficult and often very dangerous things on our behalf, and South Yorkshire Police is a very different organisation today from what it was then.
”But we do the many, many honourable police men and women a great disservice if we try to defend the indefensible.
Cameron’s apology was welcomed by Sheila Coleman of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, but there are also calls for a full inquest: “With the clear evidence that fans could have been saved - and the evidence is there - he needs to give all of those 96 victims their right under law, the right to a fair hearing.”
The full report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel can be viewed and downloaded here.
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