Hillsborough chief to face charges
But few youngsters are likely to gain the highest result – a grade 9 – across all of their courses.
New 9-1 grades have replaced the old-style A*-G system, with the first results awarded last summer. TENS of thousands of people will join a huge demonstration today to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS and call for money for the service.
Politicians, actors, musicians and union leaders will address a rally in central London, demanding an end to cuts and a halt to privatisation of services.
Nurses, doctors and other health workers will join the protest, timed to mark the 70th anniversary on July 5. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is set to address the demonstration. A FIRE in a block of high-rise flats in east London has been brought under control, the London Fire Brigade said.
Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters were called to the blaze in Wellington Way, Mile End, at 12.28pm yesterday.
Half of a 12th floor flat was alight, and the blaze was under control by 13.51pm.
The brigade’s 999 control officers took more than 90 calls relating to the blaze, and around 40 people left the building before help arrived.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, and is being investigated.
Police have cordoned off part of Wellington Way to the public and are urging HILLSBOROUGH match commander David Duckenfield is to face trial for the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 Liverpool supporters after a judge lifted a stay on his prosecution.
Four other defendants charged with matters related to the disaster and its aftermath will also face trial following abuse of process arguments, which were heard at Preston Crown Court earlier this month.
Announcing his decision yesterday, judge Sir Peter Openshaw said: “In respect of the defendant, David Duckenfield, I lift the stay.”
About 10 relatives of the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the FA Cup semi-final in 1989 were at Preston Crown Court to hear the ruling, while others watched proceedings on a video link in Liverpool.
Sir Peter said: “I confirm that I grant the voluntary bill of indictment to allow prosecution against him for manslaughter to proceed. I decline to order a stay on that charge.”
Duckenfield, 73, faces 95 charges of gross negligence manslaughter following the crush in the terrace pens at the Leppings residents to make their way to the nearby Merchant Street community centre for advice.
Meanwhile, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was attending a serious fire in Playden near Rye, where around 70 people were evacuated from two domestic properties, one of which was Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15.
Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused.
The Crown Prosecution Service applied to lift a historical stay – halting further legal proceedings – on Mr Duckenfield, which was put in place in 2000.
Duckenfield is set go on trial in September at Preston Crown Court well alight. Six fire engines were at the scene and people were being asked to avoid the area and stay away from the smoke.
One person had been treated for smoke inhalation and was being looked after by the ambulance service, while the evacuated residents were taken to a local school. alongside former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, 68, who is charged with an offence involving the stadium safety certificate and a health and safety offence.
The prosecution decided not to proceed with a second charge of breaching the stadium safety certificate against Mackrell.
Three other defendants – retired police officers Donald Denton, 80, and Alan Foster, 71, and retired solicitor Peter Metcalf, 68, who acted for South Yorkshire Police following the 1989 disaster – are scheduled to go on trial in January 2019 charged with doing acts intended to pervert the course of justice.
The judge said: “I decline to stay that prosecution; those charges must also, therefore, proceed to trial, presently scheduled for January next year.”
An abuse of process argument for former Merseyside and West Yorkshire chief constable Sir Norman Bettison, who is charged with misconduct in a public office, has been adjourned until August 21.
A case management hearing for the case of Duckenfield and Mackrell is due to be held on Monday.