The Crown Prosecution Service will today announce its decisions on charges relating to the Hillsborough disaster.
Families of the 96 men, women and children killed at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final will gather in Warrington to be informed of the decisions by Sue Hemming, CPS head of special crime and counter-terrorism division.
Operation Resolve, which investigated the causes of the disaster, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) passed files of evidence relating to 23 suspects, including individuals and organisations, to the CPS earlier this year.
April 26, 2016 – Landmark verdicts at the Hillsborough inquests. Truth and justice for the 96, their families, survivors and campaigners pic.twitter.com/HY7v18chAF
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2017
Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: “It is going to be a day of mixed emotions for the families and we have had so many of them.
“Whatever happens, I still think it will be a long road, but the families are determined to never give up. All we want is accountability, nothing more and nothing less.”
Last year, new inquests found the 96 were unlawfully killed in the disaster, which happened at the match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest.
The jury also identified errors in the police planning and response, the actions of commanding officers, the safety certification of the ground, the management of the stadium by Sheffield Wednesday FC and the response by the ambulance service.
Never forgotten. pic.twitter.com/twClijesBO
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 15, 2017
It also found there were dangerous features in the stadium design and structural engineers Eastwood and Partners could have done more.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said it would be a “monumental day in the fight for justice”.
He said: “It is a day that many thought would never come and a day that, on more than one occasion, seemed impossible.
Tributes were paid to the 96 at Anfield, Melwood and in the city today. pic.twitter.com/dJv7mTtTE4
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 15, 2017
“The uncompromising determination and fight from the families and campaigners over the last 28 years has been an example to the rest of the country that sometimes, the impossible is achievable.”
He said there was still “a way to go” before justice was achieved.
He said: “We have to allow that process to happen and trust that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.”
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