5 men still set to stand trial
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Sir Norman arrives at court yesterday
“peripheral”. He was also accused of lying to the Merseyside Police Authority by saying he had never tried to shift blame for the disaster “on to the shoulders of Liverpool supporters”.
It was also claimed he lied in 2012, after the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report, when he said he had never offered any interpretation other than the behaviour of fans had not caused the disaster.
He was also accused of misconduct over a statement released the following day in which he said he had never “besmirched” Liverpool supporters.
Sarah Whitehouse QC, prosecuting, told the court yesterday that since the charges were brought the “state of the evidence has changed”.
Paul Greaney QC, defending, said a “false understanding” that Sir Norman was part of an alleged cover-up had been fostered by political figures including Merseyside MP Maria Eagle.
Mr Greaney said: “Contrary to public understanding, there has never been any suggestion in this failed prosecution that Sir Norman... took part in a cover-up. The false understanding he did so has been fostered, not by the prosecution, but by political figures.
“In 1998 and again in 2012, Maria Eagle MP asserted under cover of Parliamentary privilege that Sir Norman had been part of a unit that orchestrated a black propaganda campaign to deflect blame for the... disaster from South Yorkshire police on to the fans...
“That claim, which Maria Eagle has not been prepared to repeat outside Parliament, is untrue.” Speaking Disaster unfolding at the stadium
REACTS TO THE DECISION REVEALED YESTERDAY
outside court, Sir Norman said: “The loss of loved ones who will never come home from Hillsborough is an enduring tragedy. “Such a devastating loss is deserving of all our sympathies and has always included mine.
“Nothing over the last six years has diminished my sympathy.
“My involvement in the events around Hillsborough has often been misrepresented, even in Parliament.
“Since then, I have been forced to deny, strenuously, that I was guilty of any wrongdoing in the aftermath of the disaster.
Ian Burke after ruling “Today’s Sister Lou Brookes outcome vindicates that position.” In a joint statement, Ms Eagle, Merseyside mayor Steve Rotheram, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Wirral South MP Alison Mcgovern, and Halton MP Derek Twigg said: “We are disappointed to hear this news and we fully support the decision of the families to seek a review.
“As long-standing supporters of the campaign for justice, our thoughts today are with the bereaved families and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster, still reliving that day and its aftermath almost 30 years on.”
The Mirror has also campaigned for justice for the fans who died.
Sir Norman was charged after the Independent Police Complaints Commission carried out the biggest criminal investigation into alleged police misconduct ever carried out in England and Wales.
Five others are still due to face trial for offences related to the disaster. FIVE men are due to go on trial next year in relation to the disaster at Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium.
They include David Duckenfield, 73, the police’s match commander on the day.
The other men are Sheffield Wednesday’s ex-club secretary Graham Mackrell, 68, retired police officers Donald Denton, 80, and Alan Foster, 73, and police solicitor Peter Metcalf, 68.
Duckenfield, who is charged with 95 counts of gross negligence manslaughter, is due to stand trial in January along with Mackrell, who is charged with an offence involving the stadium safety certificate and a health and safety offence.
Denton, Foster and Metcalf are expected to go on trial later, charged with carrying out acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice.
Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, because he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused.
Sometimes it is hard to find the strength. But we haven’t come this far to give in now MARGARET ASPINALL