‘Beginning of the end’ after 28-year fight for justice

Hillsborough Family Support Group chairwoman Margaret Aspinall has said it is the “beginning of the end” after the Crown Prosecution Service announced six individuals would be charged in connection with the disaster.

Speaking outside Parr Hall in Warrington, where the families were told the news, she said: “Every time we have been knocked down we have been determined to come back stronger.”

Trevor Hicks, whose daughters Sarah and Vicki died in the disaster at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, said: “This is a success for society at large, not just for us.”

Speaking on behalf of some of the families, lawyer Marcia Willis-stewart said: “The Hillsborough families have waited 28 years for justice. Some of the truth was exposed by the independent panel and some by the inquest jury on 26 April, 2016. Now we await the results from the long overdue process of accountability.”

Mr Hicks said the families needed time to “go away and think” about whether they would take further action in respect of individuals and organisations who had not been charged.

Louise Brookes, whose brother Andrew died at Hillsborough, said: “There are a lot of mixed emotions because it’s another event where my parents haven’t been alive to see it or to hear it.”