Verdicts being returned in the Hillsborough trial into the deaths of the 96.
"Are you satisfied, so that you are sure, that those who died in the disaster were unlawfully killed?"
The forewoman confirms the answer was a YES
"Was there any behaviour on the part of the football supporters which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?"
The forewoman confirms the answer was a NO
"Was there any error or omission in policing on the day of the match which caused or contributed to a dangerous situation developing at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?"
The forewoman confirms the answer was YES
"When the order was given to open the exit gates at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium, was there any error or omission by the commanding officers in the control box which caused or contributed to the crush on the terrace?"
The forewoman confirms the answer was a YES
"Was there any error or omission by Sheffield Wednesday and its staff in the management of the stadium and/or preparation for the semi-final match on April 15, 1989, which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed on the day of the match?"
The jury answered YES
The jury said: "The club did not approve the plans for dedicated turnstiles to each pen."
The club did not agree contingency plans with police and there was inaccurate information on the tickets.
"After the crush in the west terrace had begun to develop, was there any error or omission by the police which caused or contributed to the loss of lives in the disaster?"
The jury answered YES
After the crush in the west terrace had begun to develop, was there any error or omission by the ambulance service (SYMAS) which caused or contributed to the loss of lives in the disaster?
The jury answered YES
This is huge. Massive cover up at the time and ever since by both the police and the Government headed by Thatcher. For 27 years Yorkshire Police have been trying to pass the buck on to the supporters, who have been found to have not contributed in any way to the tragedy.
Hillsborough inquest blames Police and find 96 fans were unlawfully killed :
Hillsborough disaster inquest rules 96 victims were unlawfully killed ??" live updates | UK news | The Guardian
The first political reaction to the decisions is starting to come in. Here's some quotes from Andy Burnham, the Labour MP who had long called for a new inquiry into what happened:
This has been the greatest miscarriage of justice of our times. But, finally, it is over. After 27 long years, this is real justice for the 96, their families and all Liverpool supporters. The survivors of this tragedy can finally be remembered for what they were on that day - the heroes of Hillsborough who tried to help their fellow fans.
The Hillsborough Independent Panel gave us the truth. This Inquest has delivered justice. Next must come accountability. For 27 years, this police force has consistently put protecting itself above protecting those hurt by the horror of Hillsborough. People must be held to account for their actions and prosecutions must now follow.
Disgracefully, lawyers for retired police have attempted to continue the cover-up in this courtroom. They made it an adversarial battle in defiance of the Lord Chief Justice's ruling. This has been brutal on the Hillsborough families and put them through hell once again. The current leadership of South Yorkshire Police needs to explain why it went back on its 2012 apology at this Inquest, prolonging the agony for the families.
The sense of relief we feel is tempered by the knowledge that this day has taken far too long in coming. The struggle for justice has taken too great a toll on too many. But the Hillsborough families have at long last prevailed and finally their loved-ones can Rest in Peace.
And also by Steve Rotheram, MP for Liverpool Walton:
I have waited 27 years for this moment. But I know it comes too late for many. I was there on the day and saw the horror unfold before my very eyes.
Before we'd even buried our dead, the hurt of loss was compounded by the lies and smears. I remember picking up a newspaper and feeling sick to the pit of my stomach. They inflicted terrible pain on a city at its moment of maximum grief.
I've seen how friends have suffered. This is a momentous day but they should never have had to wait so long. The truth is out there for all to see. Justice has been served by the verdicts and now it is about accountability.
edit - two decades of police lies :
Hillsborough disaster: deadly mistakes and lies that lasted decades | Football | The Guardian
Burnham in Parliament today :
Hillsborough verdict: Andy Burnhams emotional Commons speech in full - Mirror Online
What kind of country leaves people, who did no more than wave off their loved-ones to a football match, sitting in a court room 27 years later begging for the reputations of their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and fathers?
The answer is one that needs to do some deep soul-searching.
This cover-up went right to the top.
It was advanced in the committee rooms of this House and in the press rooms of 10 Downing Street.
It persisted because of collusion between elites in politics, police and the media.
