Former officers are to face trial

THE Crown Prosecution Service has charged six people in connection with the Hillsborough disaster.

Former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent David Duckenfield, who was the match commander on the day, is charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 men, women and children.

The CPS said it is alleged that Duckenfield’s failures to discharge his personal responsibility were “extraordinarily bad”.

Former Merseyside and West Yorkshire chief constable Sir Norman Bettison is charged with four offences of misconduct in public office.

The CPS said these relate to telling alleged lies about his involvement in the aftermath.

Former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent Donald Denton is charged with acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice.

It is alleged he oversaw the process of amending the statements and, in doing so, he did acts that had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice, the CPS said.

Former South Yorkshire Police detective chief inspector Alan Foster is also charged with acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice. Graham Mackrell, Sheffield Wednesday’s company secretary and safety officer at the time, is charged with two offences of contravening a term of condition of a safety certificate contrary to the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.

Peter Metcalf, who was the solicitor acting for South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests, is charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice.

He reviewed the accounts provided by the officers and made suggestions for alterations, deletions and amendments.