A damning new report from the police watchdog has delivered a scathing indictment of West Midlands Police's investigation into the Hillsborough disaster, branding it 'wholly unsatisfactory and inexplicably narrow'.
Systemic Failures Exposed in Landmark Report
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has published the findings of its vast investigation, the largest of its kind in England and Wales. It concludes that senior officers from West Midlands Police (WMP) showed bias in favour of South Yorkshire Police (SYP) during their initial probe into the 1989 tragedy, in which 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed.
For the first time, the report suggests a second police force may have helped SYP undermine the long battle for truth and justice. WMP was tasked with investigating the disaster and supporting the subsequent Taylor Inquiry.
Decades of Let-Downs for Bereaved Families
The IOPC report states that the bereaved families and survivors have been 'repeatedly let down' over nearly four decades. It confirms the catastrophic failures of South Yorkshire Police in planning for the FA Cup semi-final and in its response as the disaster unfolded at Hillsborough Stadium on 15 April 1989.
Critically, the report reaffirms there is zero evidence to support the false police narrative that Liverpool supporters' behaviour caused the crush. Instead, it details a concerted effort by SYP to deflect blame onto fans.
The IOPC found that 327 statements from officers were amended – over 100 more than previously known – as part of SYP's defensive strategy to control evidence presented to inquiries.
Officers Escape Accountability Due to Retirement
The report names several high-ranking former officers who would have faced gross misconduct proceedings were they still serving today. These include:
- Peter Wright, former SYP Chief Constable, for attempts to deflect blame.
- David Duckenfield, the match commander, for failures in planning and response, and for lying about opening Gate C.
- Norman Bettison, a former SYP chief inspector and later Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, for alleged dishonesty about his role.
- Two senior WMP officers, ex-Assistant Chief Constable Mervyn Jones and ex-Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Foster, for alleged bias and investigative failures.
In total, the IOPC has upheld 92 complaints. However, not a single officer will face disciplinary action as all had retired before the investigations began. Legislation has since been changed to close this loophole.
IOPC Deputy Director General Kathie Cashell admitted the process had taken 'too long' and that the families 'deserved better'. She described their ordeal as a 'source of national shame'.
Nicola Brook, a solicitor for several bereaved families, called the lack of disciplinary proceedings 'yet another bitter injustice', stating the report delivers truth but no justice or accountability.
