Landmark report calls for an end to ‘burning injustices’ H’boro report urges action to support those hit by tragedy
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ALANDMARK report into the experiences of the Hillsborough families has called for efforts to end the ‘burning injustice’ faced by those hit by public tragedy.
Arguing institutions should commit to acting in the public interest, the report highlights the harrowing experiences of families and survivors battling for justice.
The Right Reverend Bishop James Jones, who wrote the report, urges action to ensure the pain and suffering of those affected by Hillsborough is never repeated.
Entitled ‘The patronising disposition of unaccountable power’, the report offers an extensive overview of the experiences of family members of the 96.
It lays bare the issues they faced following the 1989 disaster and through- ● out the inquiries and inquests that followed.
In it, Bishop Jones calls for action to support those hit by tragedy and offers 25 ‘points of learning’ from his investigation, which include:
Calls for the creation of a special charter that would see public bodies commit to acting transparently and in the public interest
Public funding for legal support for bereaved families and efforts to make sure public bodies do not benefit from an ‘inequality of arms’ – the spending of ‘limitless sums’ to support their arguments
The establishment of a ‘duty of candour’ for police officers which tackles the ‘unacceptable behaviour’ of serving or retired officers who fail to cooperate fully with probes into alleged criminal offences or misconduct
Bishop Jones wrote: “I suggest that the way in which families bereaved through public tragedy are treated by those in authority is in itself a burning ● injustice which must be addressed.
“That is why the points of learning I have identified in this report are essential.
“Not just to contribute to the process of justice for the 96 but so that the experience of the families and survivors of Hillsborough informs future much needed reform.
“It is because it is essential to look forward and not just backwards that the perspective of the families must not be lost.”
The report, commissioned by then home secretary Theresa May after jurors at the new inquests found the 96 were unlawfully killed, also makes reference to the proposed Hillsborough Law.
Backed by Labour MPs and the mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, it seeks to criminalise cover-ups by making it an offence for those acting in a public capacity to mislead or refuse to co-operate with inquiries, inquests and court proceedings. ●
Bishop James said he agrees with its aims and ‘diagnosis of culture of institutional defensiveness’.
The findings of the 117 page report introduced to Parliament are based on the Bishop’s meetings with families of the Hillsborough victims.
The disaster claimed the lives of six people with links to Halton.
Schoolboys Adam Spearritt, 14, and Kevin Tyrrell, 15, were from Runcorn, as were father and son Thomas Howard Snr, 39, and Thomas Howard Jnr, 14.
Peter Thompson, 30, lived in Widnes and David Benson, 22, from Penketh, worked in the timber trade in the town.
The document highlights what they have been through at great length, revealing the harrowing experiences faced since the tragic FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
First-hand accounts drawn on in the report refer to the attitude of police officers in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, concerns over how police investigating the disaster dealt with family members and the ‘dehumanising’ nature of the first inquests – at which the families received no public funding.
The suffering of the Hillsborough families is evident throughout the report, and directly referred to by the Bishop as he makes the case for a fairer and more transparent approach to public tragedy from the authorities.
But he also praises ● their determination and strength – and he added his hope that their battle leads to changes that benefit the country.
Urging that lessons to be learned from their experiences – and acknowledging others have suffered similarly – the former Bishop of Liverpool wrote: “The Hillsborough families are not the only ones who have suffered from ‘the patronising disposition of unaccountable power’.
“The families know that there are others who have found that when in all innocence and with a good conscience they have asked questions of those in authority on behalf of those they love the institution has closed ranks, refused to disclose information, used public money to defend its interests and acted in a way that was both intimidating and oppressive.
“And so the Hillsborough families’ struggle to gain justice for the 96 has a vicarious quality to it so that whatever they can achieve in calling to account those in authority is of value to the whole nation.”
In response to the publication of the report, home secretary Amber Rudd said: “I am grateful to Bishop James Jones for undertaking this important piece of work.
“His thoughtful and considered report raises important points.
“The Government will now carefully study the 25 points of learning and we will provide a full response in due course.”