Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HILLSBORO ‘HEADLESS CHICKENS’ REPORT CUT
‘Negative comments crossed out in blue ink’
TRIAL Theatre where court is sitting
POLICE statements that criticised the actions of officers during the Hillsborough disaster were “deleted in blue ink”, a court has heard.
They included a constable saying he and his colleagues had been running around “like headless chickens”.
Ninety-six Liverpool fans died due to a crush on the Leppings Lane terraces during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at the stadium in Sheffield.
Two retired South Yorkshire police officers, ex-chief Supt Donald Denton, 83, and ex-det Chief Insp Alan Foster, 74, and former force lawyer Peter Metcalf, 71, each deny two counts of perverting the course of justice after the tragedy.
The trio were responsible for altering officers’ accounts to “minimise the blame” and “mask failings” made by bosses, it is alleged.
Prosecutor Sarah Whitehouse said PC Peter Finnerty heard fans screaming: “People are dying.” He wrote: “This concerned me as there were lots of officers near me and no instructions were given to assist. And no details were given about what was really happening...
“I’m sure many of them, like me, felt like headless chickens running about.” He added: “I felt ashamed for quite a while the police did not respond professionally after the deaths were established.” Ms Whitehouse said the statement was amended by Foster. She added: “The matters... were all deleted in blue ink.” PC William Crawford wrote that he thought the police were “very light on manpower” compared to previous years. He said officers were usually “at the centre tunnel” to direct fans to other areas when the central pens were full. He wrote: “This was not the case at this match.” Ms Whitehouse said: “Mr Metcalf ’s advice was the account should be amended.” The prosecutor said Insp Robert Creaser wrote how a constable had asked for the kick-off to be delayed, but the request was not acted on. This comment was deleted. Jonathan Goldberg, defending Metcalf, told the jury the former lawyer had been “honestly doing his job”. Mr Goldberg added: “The very word ‘Hillsborough’ has become synonymous with cover-up... We predict you will find no evidence to justify that allegation.” The Nightingale court trial at the Lowry theatre in Salford, Greater Manchester, continues.