{"id":18929,"date":"2021-05-26T10:03:54","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T14:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=18929"},"modified":"2021-05-26T10:03:54","modified_gmt":"2021-05-26T14:03:54","slug":"hillsborough-trial-men-acquitted-as-judge-rules-no-case-to-answer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2021\/05\/26\/hillsborough-trial-men-acquitted-as-judge-rules-no-case-to-answer\/","title":{"rendered":"Hillsborough trial: Men acquitted as judge rules no case to answer"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Two retired police officers and an ex-solicitor accused of altering police statements after the Hillsborough disaster have been acquitted.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Retired Ch Supt Donald Denton, retired Det Ch Insp Alan Foster and former solicitor Peter Metcalf had denied perverting the course of justice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Mr Justice William Davis ruled they had no case to answer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Margaret Aspinall, whose son James died in the disaster, said the ruling was &#8220;an absolute mockery&#8221; and a &#8220;shambles&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re always the losers no matter what the outcome today,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Ninety-six Liverpool fans died as a result of the crush at the FA Cup semi-final match at Sheffield Wednesday&#8217;s ground on 15 April 1989.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-england-merseyside-47697569\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Timeline of the Hillsborough disaster<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Mr Denton, Mr Foster and Mr Peter Metcalf were accused of trying to minimise the blame placed on South Yorkshire Police in the aftermath of the disaster by altering statements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>However, the judge said the statements had been prepared for the public inquiry chaired by Lord Taylor in 1990.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>He said this was not a statutory inquiry and therefore not considered &#8220;a court of law&#8221;, so it was not a &#8220;course of public justice&#8221; which could be perverted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Prosecutor Sarah Whitehouse QC said they would not seek leave to appeal against the judge&#8217;s decision.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1pvhdts-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-jt1yee-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-1drmwog-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/934\/cpsprodpb\/08AA\/production\/_105781220_hillsboro-facewall.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/08AA\/production\/_105781220_hillsboro-facewall.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/08AA\/production\/_105781220_hillsboro-facewall.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/08AA\/production\/_105781220_hillsboro-facewall.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/08AA\/production\/_105781220_hillsboro-facewall.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/08AA\/production\/_105781220_hillsboro-facewall.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/08AA\/production\/_105781220_hillsboro-facewall.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Hillsborough victims\" width=\"934\" height=\"824\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c22\">Ninety-six Liverpool fans died as a result of the disaster on 15 April 1989<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ms Aspinall, the former chair of the recently disbanded Hillsborough Family Support Group, said it was the &#8220;angriest I have ever really felt&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&#8220;They have had five years to sort it out to bring the best statements forward. They only brought a certain few statements,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&#8220;What angers me, all the money it has cost this country. The taxpayers&#8217; money. For this to happen at the end, what a shambles, what a disgrace.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Mary Corrigan, whose 17-year-old son Keith McGrath died in the tragedy, said she was &#8220;so angry&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>She also criticised the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for their lack of support for the families of victims during the proceedings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-england-36138337\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hillsborough fans unlawfully killed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/av\/uk-england-36103823\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How the disaster unfolded<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/av\/uk-england-merseyside-36123838\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Remembering the 96 victims<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who has campaigned with the Hillsborough families, said the ruling was &#8220;a disgrace and so disrespectful to the families&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>He added: &#8220;Why was it not left to the jury to decide?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&#8220;I can only conclude that the scales of justice in this country are weighed heavily against ordinary people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram tweeted: &#8220;My thoughts are once again with the families of the 96 today, who face yet another kick in the teeth.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Sue Hemming, from the CPS, said they were &#8220;right to bring this case and for a court to hear the evidence of what happened in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&#8220;What has been heard here in this court will have been surprising to many,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&#8220;That a publicly funded authority can lawfully withhold information from a public inquiry charged with finding out why 96 people died at a football match, in order to ensure that it never happened again &#8211; or that a solicitor can advise such a withholding, without sanction of any sort &#8211; may be a matter which should be subject to scrutiny.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Mr Denton, 83, of Sheffield; Mr Foster, 74, of Harrogate; and Mr Metcalf, 71, of Ilkley, had all denied two counts of perverting the course of justice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>The three men had been on trial at the Nightingale Court at the Lowry Theatre in Salford for more than four weeks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Jonathan Goldberg QC, who represented Mr Metcalf, said &#8220;there was no cover-up at Hillsborough&#8221; and the three men had been exonerated by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith in 1998.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&#8220;Despite this, the witch hunt has continued to resurrect the same tired accusations by prosecuting three old men,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Mike Rainford, solicitor for Mr Denton, said the pain and suffering for the families was &#8220;unimaginable&#8221; but this trial &#8220;should never have taken place at all&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Mr Foster&#8217;s solicitor Paul Harris said the trial had been a &#8220;shameful waste of public resources&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1pvhdts-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-1drmwog-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7438\/production\/_118125792_a93f7482-8699-4e97-ae7a-3f9097b5a732.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7438\/production\/_118125792_a93f7482-8699-4e97-ae7a-3f9097b5a732.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7438\/production\/_118125792_a93f7482-8699-4e97-ae7a-3f9097b5a732.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7438\/production\/_118125792_a93f7482-8699-4e97-ae7a-3f9097b5a732.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7438\/production\/_118125792_a93f7482-8699-4e97-ae7a-3f9097b5a732.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7438\/production\/_118125792_a93f7482-8699-4e97-ae7a-3f9097b5a732.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7438\/production\/_118125792_a93f7482-8699-4e97-ae7a-3f9097b5a732.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Fans in the west terrace of Hillsborough stadium\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c22\">The crush happened at the FA Cup semi-final match at Sheffield Wednesday&#8217;s ground<br \/>\n(Image: Independent Office for Police conduct \/ PA Media)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Hillsborough inquests concluded in 2016 that the 96 football fans who died as a result of the crush were unlawfully killed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>The original inquests in 1991 had ruled the deaths were accidental but those conclusions were quashed following the 2012\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-19571415\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hillsborough Independent Panel&#8217;s damning report<\/a>\u00a0into the disaster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Three other men were also charged in 2017 following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into allegations of a cover-up by police following the tragedy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>All charges against Sir Norman Bettison, who was accused of trying to blame Liverpool fans,\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-england-45258766\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">were dropped in 2018.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Sheffield Wednesday&#8217;s former club secretary Graham Mackrell\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-england-merseyside-48253507\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">was found guilty of a health and safety offence<\/a>\u00a0in May 2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>The match commander on the day, David Duckenfield,\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-england-50592077\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter<\/a>\u00a0in November 2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Claire Bassett, from the IOPC, said it accepted the judge&#8217;s ruling which would be a &#8220;bitter disappointment&#8221; to the families.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&#8220;Serious questions must remain over the public and moral duty of police in helping authorities to understand and prevent a further disaster like Hillsborough,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that MPs thoughts were &#8220;with the family and friends of the Hillsborough 96 and the hundreds more who were injured following the decision by the court&#8221;.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-mysbf6-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-qozapo-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">Analysis<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">By Judith Moritz, BBC North of England correspondent<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>The collapse of this trial will anger and distress many of those who&#8217;ve spent 32 years campaigning for &#8220;Justice for the 96&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>It&#8217;s likely that it will mark the end of the legal road for them, which has been long and winding, with few ups and many downs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>In 2016 they celebrated the inquests verdicts which found that the 96 had been unlawfully killed, and that the fans were not to blame.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>There were high hopes for accountability. But the match commander David Duckenfield was acquitted after two trials, and the collapse of this aftermath trial means that no one has been convicted for the alleged cover-up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Over the last three decades there have been four trials, two sets of inquests, a public inquiry and several other investigations and reviews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i84\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>Despite all of those proceedings, it remains the case that the bereaved families feel let down by the system. They feel that they know the truth of what happened to their loved ones, but they haven&#8217;t had justice.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-england-merseyside-57172900\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">Two retired police officers and an ex-solicitor accused of altering police statements after the Hillsborough disaster have been acquitted. Retired Ch Supt Donald Denton, retired Det Ch Insp Alan Foster and former solicitor Peter Metcalf <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2021\/05\/26\/hillsborough-trial-men-acquitted-as-judge-rules-no-case-to-answer\/\" title=\"Hillsborough trial: Men acquitted as judge rules no case to answer\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18930,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[109,2,4],"tags":[1746,5002,1734,7796,6116,7797,1590,518,3980],"class_list":{"0":"post-18929","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headline","8":"category-news","9":"category-uk","10":"tag-crown-prosecution-service","11":"tag-harrogate","12":"tag-hillsborough","13":"tag-ilkley","14":"tag-liverpool","15":"tag-nightingale-court","16":"tag-salford","17":"tag-sheffield","18":"tag-south-yorkshire-police","19":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18929"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18932,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18929\/revisions\/18932"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}