Second Hillsborough inquest set to follow verdict quashing
HILLSBOROUGH campaigners have welcomed the attorney general’s decision to apply for the original inquest verdicts relating to the 1989 stadium disaster to be overturned.
Dominic Grieve QC said yesterday he would apply to the High Court to have the 96 verdicts of accidental death quashed, paving the way for a second inquest likely to be held next year. Grieve’s move comes after last month’s Hillsborough Independent Panel (HIP) report, which published evidence that victims had been failed by emergency services and unfairly smeared by police.
He said: “My consideration of the evidence is far from complete but, given the anxiety further delay may cause the families affected by the Hillsborough disaster, I have decided to take an exceptional course and state at this stage that, on the basis of what I have already seen, I have determined that I must make an application to the court.”
It is the latest victory for campaigners, who last week saw the Independent Police Complaints Commission launch the biggest ever review of conduct, following revelations in the HIP report.
“We’re very pleased with the pace things are going at,” said Hillsborough Family Support Group chairman Trevor Hicks.
“We have waited 23 years. Due process will have to take place. We are pleased he has pointed out it will be 96 fresh inquests.”