12th September 2012 - Independent Panel report published

Not sure if this has been posted, apologies if it has.  I've taken it from the Offal.  Loving Anne's reaction at the end of the article, she's clearly over the moon.

Families welcome Hillsborough step
11th Dec 2012 - Latest News

   
Families campaigning for new inquests into the deaths of 96 fans who died at Hillsborough in 1989 have welcomed another step forward in their fight.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve has now made an application to the High Court for new inquests, in line with an announcement following the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in September.

Now campaigners hope hearings will be held before Christmas.

Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: "This is a major milestone, it is the main thing that the families have wanted for such a long time.

"It is great that the application has now gone in, we just hope that it is this side of Christmas."

There are just 10 days left before the High Court rises for its three-week end-of-year break.

A spokeswoman for the High Court said: "The hearing will be listed as soon as possible. It is not yet known at this stage whether it will be before Christmas."

The original 'accidental death' verdicts have prevented any meaningful inquiry into the lack of care received by the 96 fans who lost their lives in Sheffield.

The desire for the hearing to be held as quickly as possible has grown since news that Anne Williams - a tireless campaigner who lost her son Kevin during the tragedy - has terminal cancer.

Anne said: "I am buzzing - I'm over the moon that it's finally happened. This document is what I've been fighting the system to get hold of for 23 years.

"I can't believe I've finally got it here in front of me in black and white. I just keep looking at the words over and over again in case I'm seeing things or reading it wrong.

"I've had all this evidence for a long time and presented it to previous attorney generals, who didn't do their job properly and rejected it for supposedly 'not being in the interests of justice'.

"It is terrible how this has gone on for so long but the main thing is the right things are now happening.

"I just hope there isn't too much red tape involved and they are able to set a date for Kevin's inquest soon."

Not sure if this has been posted, apologies if it has.  I've taken it from the Offal.  Loving Anne's reaction at the end of the article, she's clearly over the moon.

Families welcome Hillsborough step
11th Dec 2012 - Latest News

   
Families campaigning for new inquests into the deaths of 96 fans who died at Hillsborough in 1989 have welcomed another step forward in their fight.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve has now made an application to the High Court for new inquests, in line with an announcement following the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in September.

Now campaigners hope hearings will be held before Christmas.

Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: "This is a major milestone, it is the main thing that the families have wanted for such a long time.

"It is great that the application has now gone in, we just hope that it is this side of Christmas."

There are just 10 days left before the High Court rises for its three-week end-of-year break.

A spokeswoman for the High Court said: "The hearing will be listed as soon as possible. It is not yet known at this stage whether it will be before Christmas."

The original 'accidental death' verdicts have prevented any meaningful inquiry into the lack of care received by the 96 fans who lost their lives in Sheffield.

The desire for the hearing to be held as quickly as possible has grown since news that Anne Williams - a tireless campaigner who lost her son Kevin during the tragedy - has terminal cancer.

Anne said: "I am buzzing - I'm over the moon that it's finally happened. This document is what I've been fighting the system to get hold of for 23 years.

"I can't believe I've finally got it here in front of me in black and white. I just keep looking at the words over and over again in case I'm seeing things or reading it wrong.

"I've had all this evidence for a long time and presented it to previous attorney generals, who didn't do their job properly and rejected it for supposedly 'not being in the interests of justice'.

"It is terrible how this has gone on for so long but the main thing is the right things are now happening.

"I just hope there isn't too much red tape involved and they are able to set a date for Kevin's inquest soon."

Fingers crossed it's done before Christmas. That's the least that Anne Williams and the others deserve.

Fingers crossed it's done before Christmas. That's the least that Anne Williams and the others deserve.

Agree mate, the sooner it's done the better.

The legal process for new inquests will involve three of the country's most senior judges who then rule on the Attorney General's request to quash the origonal Hillsborough inquest verdicts, according to the Liverpool Echo.
If as is widely expected they quash the ''accidental death'' verdicts the cases will then be referred back to to the coroners in South Yorkshire which would deal with 95 inquests while West Yorkshire police which ruled over the death of Tony Bland (whose life support machine was switched off in 1993), will present his case.
In S.Yorkshire the case will be sent to Sheffield or Doncaster (Doncaster being the other coroner in that administrive district).
The Attorney General will suggest the cases be sent to Doncaster.
The coroners will then have the power to appoint an assistant deputy coroner who can be a high court judge.
The high court can decide the timing and location for the new inquests which the families hope will be in Liverpool or Manchester, however the new inquests may have to wait until the end of the criminal investigations.

Next Wednesday will turn out to be very important.

Hillsborough inquests date set for next week

An application to quash the original Hillsborough inquest verdicts is due to be heard at the High Court next Wednesday, it has been confirmed.

The application was made by Attorney General Dominic Grieve on Monday.

Families of the victims have campaigned for years to have the original 1991 accidental death verdicts overturned.

Mr Grieve said the main basis for the move was new medical evidence, made public in the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in September.

He said the alteration of evidence by the police and other emergency services was also a supporting factor, along with stadium safety.

'Deflect blame'

The application is due to be heard on 19 December by the Chief Justice Lord Judge and two other judges in London - subject to any applications by "interested parties" to adjourn.

Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on 15 April 1989, when their team met Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel's report revealed police and emergency services had made "strenuous attempts" to deflect the blame for the disaster on to fans.

It also found 164 police statements had been altered - 116 of them to remove or change negative comments about the policing of the match.

The report said 41 of the 96 who had died had had the "potential to survive".

Officers investigated

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has also announced it has begun updating the victims' families on its investigation.

Deborah Glass, the IPCC deputy chairwoman, said the it would be looking into the actions of more than 2,000 police officers.

She said: "At present we have a list of 1,444 names provided by South Yorkshire Police covering officers who were apparently on duty at Hillsborough, who responded to the disaster or who were involved in the aftermath.

"In addition we are aware that 30 more police forces or police-related bodies had officers or staff who played some kind of role in relation to Hillsborough - that covers more than 400 officers.

"And we are aware there may be more officers whose details we have not had yet, particularly from West Midlands Police.

"So we estimate we will have in excess of 2,000 names to analyse."

She said the IPCC was discussing setting up a "challenge group" of independent people who can scrutinise the work of both the IPCC and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to keep the families updated about the progress, independence and robustness of the work.

BBC

Next Wednesday will turn out to be very important.

Hillsborough inquests date set for next week

An application to quash the original Hillsborough inquest verdicts is due to be heard at the High Court next Wednesday, it has been confirmed.

The application was made by Attorney General Dominic Grieve on Monday.

Families of the victims have campaigned for years to have the original 1991 accidental death verdicts overturned.

Mr Grieve said the main basis for the move was new medical evidence, made public in the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in September.

He said the alteration of evidence by the police and other emergency services was also a supporting factor, along with stadium safety.

'Deflect blame'

The application is due to be heard on 19 December by the Chief Justice Lord Judge and two other judges in London - subject to any applications by "interested parties" to adjourn.

Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on 15 April 1989, when their team met Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel's report revealed police and emergency services had made "strenuous attempts" to deflect the blame for the disaster on to fans.

It also found 164 police statements had been altered - 116 of them to remove or change negative comments about the policing of the match.

The report said 41 of the 96 who had died had had the "potential to survive".

Officers investigated

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has also announced it has begun updating the victims' families on its investigation.

Deborah Glass, the IPCC deputy chairwoman, said the it would be looking into the actions of more than 2,000 police officers.

She said: "At present we have a list of 1,444 names provided by South Yorkshire Police covering officers who were apparently on duty at Hillsborough, who responded to the disaster or who were involved in the aftermath.

"In addition we are aware that 30 more police forces or police-related bodies had officers or staff who played some kind of role in relation to Hillsborough - that covers more than 400 officers.

"And we are aware there may be more officers whose details we have not had yet, particularly from West Midlands Police.

"So we estimate we will have in excess of 2,000 names to analyse."

She said the IPCC was discussing setting up a "challenge group" of independent people who can scrutinise the work of both the IPCC and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to keep the families updated about the progress, independence and robustness of the work.

BBC

Good news for the families and Anne Williams in particular.

Anyone willing to bet it isn't adjourned. Due to the Police or other people willing to use delaying tactics.

Anyone willing to bet it isn't adjourned. Due to the Police or other people willing to use delaying tactics.

The police haven't got to affect anything in the drawn out process involving different forces, coroners, judges and the various hearings, an adjournment is a forgeone conclusion. 

@david_conn

Hillsborough: IPCC says over 2,000 officers to investigate. Moving into a bigger office (in Warrington), and will recruit more staff in 2013

@TheFarm2012: Good luck today in High Court! The 1st step towards justice @HFSG_Official @annewilliams96 @HJC_Official @SteveRotheramMP @andyburnhammp

Today could be the day the first hearing verdicts get overturned

bbc news

                       Ruling On Hillsborough Inquests

The Attorney General will ask High Court judges later today to quash the verdicts of accidental death on the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Dominic Grieve will make his request three months after a new report established that 41 of those who died in April 1989 might have been saved.
 New medical evidence is to be used as a basis for the new inquests application.
Additional factors going before Lord Judge include the alteration of evidence by police and the safety of the stadium itself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-20772416

Live updates from the court from 10am here:

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/12/19/hillsborough-at-the-high-court-follow-live-updates-from-10am-100252-32457125/

New Hillsborough investigation announced by Home Secretary http://bit.ly/V5LfFB.

Can't see this decision going any other way than in the families favour.

JFT96

11:37 AM
John Sutton @johnsuttonvidz
Original inquests quashed #Hillsborough #JFT96 #YNWA


Read more: Liverpool Echo http://live.liverpoolecho.co.uk/Event/Hillsborough_Inquests_High_Court_hearing#ixzz2FUrTeLEI

Original inquests quashed!

JFT96

11:37 AM
John Sutton @johnsuttonvidz
Original inquests quashed #Hillsborough #JFT96 #YNWA


Read more: Liverpool Echo http://live.liverpoolecho.co.uk/Event/Hillsborough_Inquests_High_Court_hearing#ixzz2FUrTeLEI

Original inquests quashed!

JFT96

Fantastic news.

JFT96.

Hillsborough inquests quashed

Another landmark moment was reached on Wednesday as the original inquests into the Hillsborough disaster were quashed at the High Court.

Following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in September, Attorney General Dominic Grieve pledged that he would appeal against the 1990 verdicts of accidental death of the 96 supporters who lost their lives in 1989.

Hillsborough campaigners have fought that conclusion for more than two decades since, and secured a breakthrough in their battle with the release of the panel's report.

The investigation of thousands of previously unseen documents revealed serious emergency services and police misconduct and suggested that up to 41 people could have been saved with a sufficient response.

Grieve made good on his promise this morning, when the High Court accepted his application for the initial inquest results to be dismissed - with many family members of the 96 in attendance in London.

New inquests will now be arranged to deliver fresh verdicts on how the 96 died, and are expected to take place in Doncaster.

Ian Ayre, Managing Director of Liverpool Football Club, said: "On September 12, the world heard the real truth about what happened at Hillsborough which was a hugely significant and deeply emotional day for everyone.

"Today, the High Court has quashed the original inquest verdicts which is another positive step forward for the families and survivors in their search for justice. 

"Everyone at Liverpool Football Club remains committed to supporting the fight for justice and we hope that every person affected by this can take some comfort from today's announcement"

Further good news followed for the families with the Home Secretary's announcement that a new inquiry has been ordered into various bodies who were accountable for the tragedy 23 years ago.

Led by Jon Stoddart, former Durham Chief Constable, the investigation has been launched with a view to 'ensure nobody with responsibility for fan safety at Hillsborough will escape scrutiny'.

Swifter results and sharing of information will also be achieved with the formation of a Liaison Board - which will bring together each of the separate ongoing investigations into Hillsborough.

Theresa May said: "The findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel were truly shocking, but while the families have now been given the truth, they have not yet received justice.

"Jon Stoddart is a skilled and dedicated investigator who will bring a huge amount of policing experience to this demanding job.

"I am giving the IPCC new powers to investigate police misconduct, but this investigation will ensure nobody with responsibility for fan safety at Hillsborough will escape scrutiny.

"I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."


http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/hillsborough-inquests-quashed

That is fantastic news but I would have been gobsmacked if they hadn't.

David Conn ‏@david_conn
The Lord Chief Justice has granted the application to quash the Hillsborough inquest: "The interests of justice must be served."


5m David Conn ‏@david_conn
"Further considerations which reinforce conclusion original inquest should be quashed:" stressing alcohol in fans, changed police statements


9m David Conn ‏@david_conn
The new evidence about the people who might have been saved after 3:15pm "is sufficient on its own to justify the quashing of the inquest."


12m David Conn ‏@david_conn
"The unchallenged evidence (to the inquest that the victims of Hillsborough could not have been saved after 3:15pm) is no longer accepted."


17m David Conn ‏@david_conn
Lord Chief Justice: "It is clear there are sound grounds for this application" to quash the Hillsborough inquest and hold a new one.


19m David Conn ‏@david_conn
Lord Chief Justice:"Elementary that the emergence of new evidence would normally make it desirable and necessary for a fresh inquest."


23m David Conn ‏@david_conn
"We record our admiration (for the families' battle for the truth) and our regret the process has been so dispiriting and prolonged."


24m David Conn ‏@david_conn
Lord Chief Justice "Throughout (all these years) there has been a profound almost palpable belief that justice has not been done."


28m David Conn ‏@david_conn
Lord Chief Justice: "Notwithstanding its falsity, the tendency to blame the fans (for Hillsborough) was disappointingly tenacious."


34m David Conn ‏@david_conn
Lord Chief Justice is reading the judgement now in application to quash the Hillsborough inquest.


35m David Conn ‏@david_conn
The judges are back in already.






Today, nothing else matters.
JFT96

David Conn ‏@david_conn
"The families of those who died will be vindicated and the memory of those who died will be respected."

Excellent news.

Amazing news for the families

Great great great news. Everyone who has done work on this should be commended. It's one more step towards JUSTICE. But let's remember: the fight must still go on!

@kennethdalglish

Two fantastic results today for the Hillsborough families. Your support has been unbelievable.