South Yorkshire Police Federation faces criticism for its response to an independent report on the Hillsborough disaster. The report, released by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), revealed that 12 retired officers would have faced gross misconduct charges under current laws. It highlighted “fundamental failures” and efforts to blame fans for the tragedy that claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters during an FA Cup semi-final in 1989.
Despite the findings, the Police Federation’s statement calling the report a waste of taxpayers’ money sparked outrage. The federation argued that the report lacked fairness and balance, emphasizing that the accused officers had no opportunity to respond formally to the allegations. This led to strong reactions online and from MP Ian Byrne, who condemned the federation’s response as disgraceful and accused them of avoiding accountability for past actions.
The families of the victims expressed disappointment, stating that they may never see justice served. Charlotte Hennessy, whose father died in the disaster, noted that the report confirmed survivors’ testimonies but lamented the lack of accountability for the police’s actions. Solicitors representing the families echoed these sentiments, calling the outcome a bitter injustice that denied them closure.
In response to the report, South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lauren Poultney issued a public apology for the force’s failures, acknowledging the pain caused to the victims’ families. The Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, expressed disappointment with the Police Federation’s stance, emphasizing the need to acknowledge past wrongs and support the ongoing quest for truth and justice by the families and survivors.