Police chief ‘lacks cash’ for Hillsborough case

HILLSBOROUGH match commander David Duckenfield does not have the money to fight possible prosecution on charges of gross negligence manslaughter and might have to represent himself, a judge has heard.

Barrister John Dye, acting for Duckenfield free of charge, told Mr Justice William Davis at a hearing yesterday: “In a nutshell the position is this – we are unfunded.” Mr Dye was speaking at a case management hearing at Preston Crown Court, sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Duckenfield, 73, needs funding for legal representation to oppose a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) application at the High Court next year for a stay on prosecution to be lifted.

The judge said there should be a further case management hearing early next month in an effort to resolve the funding issue.

In April 1989, 96 Liverpool football fans were crushed to death at Hillsborough.