Hillsborough disaster: Police to respond to Bishop’s reporton January 31, 2023 at 6:48 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Bishop James Jones has criticised the fact the government is yet to respond to his 2017 report.

Ninety-seven Liverpool fans died as a result of the disaster on 15 April 1989

Police will be the first major public body to respond to a five-year-old report on the Hillsborough disaster.

The National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing will publish a joint response later on behalf of all police forces in England and Wales.

He was asked to review the experiences of the families to ensure their pain and suffering was never repeated.

Hillsborough disaster

Image source, Hillsborough Inquests

He was commissioned by the then-Home Secretary Theresa May.

Bishop James Jones has criticised the fact that the government is yet to respond to his report.

He said: “I think we have to put ourselves in the shoes of the families.

“This year it’ll be 34 years since the tragedy and it’s over five years since the government had the report.

“For them to wait for so long for a response to these 25 points of learning is intolerable, and adds to their pain.

“I think in some instances it even affects their own grieving.”

Bishop James Jones

Ninety-seven Liverpool supporters were unlawfully killed as a result of a crush on the terraces at the Hillsborough Stadium at the Sheffield Wednesday ground in April 1989.

One of those who died was 18-year-old James Aspinall.

His mother Margaret has campaigned for justice along with other bereaved families.

She said: “I remember writing to someone in government to say ‘I hope this report doesn’t get put on a shelf gathering dust for years like other things in the past have done’.

“We are now into 2023. How long does it take to read a report to come out with your findings of what you think should happen?”

The response later on Tuesday from the NPCC and College of Policing is understood to include the first ever apology on behalf of all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

Margaret Aspinall

It will also summarise progress made by the police, to respond to many of the Bishop’s recommendations which included a charter for bereaved families, and improvements in the identification of disaster victims.

There are calls for there to be a Hillsborough Law which would help victims of future mass tragedies.

A government spokesperson said: “The Hillsborough disaster was a devastating tragedy and we recognise the significant impact it continues to have on those affected, their families and communities.

“Our full response to this report will be published in due course and we will engage with the Hillsborough families prior to publication.”

Presentational grey line

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Eurovision 2023: Royal themes and unicorns in first semi-finalon May 9, 2023 at 12:42 am

Tonight viewers watching around the world will pick 10 acts to make it through to Saturday's final.Tonight viewers watching around the world will pick...

Chelsea to play Real Madrid in Champions Leagueon March 18, 2022 at 11:27 am

Holders Chelsea face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, while Manchester City will play Atletico Madrid and Liverpool play Benfica.

Mourinho sacked by Tottenham after 17 months in chargeon April 19, 2021 at 11:26 am

Jose Mourinho is sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after just 17 months in charge.The Portuguese replaced Mauricio Pochettino as Spurs manager in November 2019 and...

Covid: ‘Divisive’ Covid passports and school funding warningon April 2, 2021 at 6:46 am

Five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Friday morning.Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic...

World Cup 2022: Brazil ‘in pain’ after exit on penalties against Croatiaon December 9, 2022 at 9:11 pm

Brazil had danced into the quarter-finals of the World Cup but their dreams of a showpiece jig in the final ended in tears at...