Andy Burnham has condemned the 27-year delay for the truth behind the Hillsborough disaster as ‘the greatest miscarriage of justice of our times’.
An independent inquest today announced that the 96 Liverpool fans who died before the FA Cup semi-final in April 1989 were unlawfully killed.
The findings in Warrington decreed that the South Yorkshire Police were guilty of negligence across the board, whilst absolving Reds supporters of any wrongdoing in the Sheffield tragedy.
Burnham oversaw the creation of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, whose 2012 report paved the way for the inquests, and the Shadow Home Secretary insists that today’s verdict has vindicated the victims and their families by unearthing a truth that many have known for so long.
He said: “This has been the greatest miscarriage of justice of our times. But, finally, it is over. After 27 long years, this is real justice for the 96, their families and all Liverpool supporters.
“The survivors of this tragedy can finally be remembered for what they were on that day – the heroes of Hillsborough who tried to help their fellow fans.
“The Hillsborough Independent Panel gave us the truth. This Inquest has delivered justice. Next must come accountability.
“For 27 years, this police force has consistently put protecting itself above protecting those hurt by the horror of Hillsborough. People must be held to account for their actions and prosecutions must now follow.
“Disgracefully, lawyers for retired police have attempted to continue the cover-up in this courtroom. They made it an adversarial battle in defiance of the Lord Chief Justice’s ruling.
“This has been brutal on the Hillsborough families and put them through hell once again. The current leadership of South Yorkshire Police needs to explain why it went back on its 2012 apology at this Inquest, prolonging the agony for the families.
“The sense of relief we feel is tempered by the knowledge that this day has taken far too long in coming. The struggle for justice has taken too great a toll on too many. But the Hillsborough families have at long last prevailed and finally their loved-ones can rest in peace.”