Police chief Norman Bettison faces second IPCC probe

The senior officer was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in September over claims that he gave misleading information in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster.

Two days ago, West Yorkshire Police made a second referral to the IPCC over claims that Sir Norman had tried to influence their decision-making process in relation to the Hillsborough allegations.

IPCC deputy chairwoman Deborah Glass said: “This alleges that he attempted to influence the decision-making process of the authority, that is the West Yorkshire Police Authority, in connection with the referral they made on September 18.”

She would not be drawn further on the details of the claim.

Last week Sir Norman announced that he is to retire in March, saying: “Recent weeks have caused me to reflect on what is best for the future of policing in West Yorkshire and I have now decided to set a firm date for my retirement.”

He said he hoped his departure would allow the IPCC to “fully investigate allegations that have been raised about my integrity”.

Sir Norman had previously denied altering any statements or asking for any to be altered. He sparked fury after the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report was published last month, saying that Liverpool fans’ behaviour made policing the tragedy in 1989 “harder than it needed to be”, and later tried to clarify the inflammatory statement.

This was also referred to the IPCC, but today Ms Glass said the watchdog will not investigate the comments.

“It does not seem to me that this is a matter requiring investigation,” she said. “There is no doubt that he made the first statement, which many people regarded as highly offensive and which flew in the face of the report’s definitive findings, and that he attempted to explain it with his second statement.

“It was unwise of Sir Norman Bettison to issue a press statement attempting to exonerate himself immediately after publication of the report. It was also insensitive and inappropriate to make reference to the fans’ behaviour at all, bearing in mind that publication of the report represented a vindication for the fans that behaviour was not a factor.

“But given that no further investigation is required into these complaints I am referring them back to West Yorkshire Police Authority so they can decide what action to take in response to these comments.”

West Yorkshire Police said Sir Norman had previously welcomed an investigation into Hillsborough and had nothing further to add today.

A spokesman said: “Sir Norman Bettison has consistently made the point since September 15, three days after the report was published, that these were matters that needed to be investigated formally and fairly by the IPCC.

“At the time, he immediately welcomed the Police Authority’s decision to refer this matter.

“He is on record as saying he is keen to co-operate with the IPCC inquiry, but now that has been launched, he has nothing further to add.”