South Yorkshire Police will look at 'viable route' to correct records over Hillsborough deaths
South Yorkshire Police’s chief constable has confirmed she supports a campaign by parents to correct the records around the death of their two teenage daughters in the Hillsborough disaster.
Parents Jenni and her former husband Trevor are heading up a new campaign to correct the official court records, which wrongly state their daughters lost consciousness within 30 seconds and died a short time later, when in fact it appears they suffered much longer.
The assumption – dubbed “the 30-second rule” – was used in post-disaster cases and presumed victims lost consciousness almost immediately, including in a 1990s test case brought by the Hicks family.
Their claim for damages against South Yorkshire Police was dismissed at multiple levels, culminating in a rejection by the House of Lords, when it was the highest court in the land.
The parents believe that a statement in open court will correct the record, however there is some confusion as the Lords’ judicial functions have now been passed to the Supreme Court.
Following reporting by The Yorkshire Post, chief constable Lauren Poultney said: “It is understandable that Hillsborough families, the general public, the media, and politicians have questions about why South Yorkshire Police has not, thus far, consented to a Statement in Open Court (SIOC) to support Mr and Mrs Hicks in their fight to achieve a sense of justice.
“To my knowledge, there is no legislation enabling the use of a SIOC in this type of matter, and a SIOC would not overturn the House of Lords' judgement, or amend the records.
"However, my commitment remains that, under my leadership, South Yorkshire Police will do everything in our power to support the Hillsborough families, who have endured unimaginable levels of heartbreak and suffering in the 36 years since the disaster.
“Furthermore, in keeping with this promise, the force has made contact with Mr and Mrs Hicks’ legal representatives to try to understand how they envision a SIOC could be used to correct the records held by the House of Lords.
"I truly hope that a viable route will be found and give my assurances that I support their campaign to correct the records."
The Supreme Court judges would consider any application made in respect of the original case, including whether they have jurisdiction, sources told this paper.
Nia Williams, the Hicks’ solicitor and partner at Saunders Law, said the parents welcomed the chief constable’s assurances.
She said: “We have had ongoing discussions with SYP since November 2023 and we have already set out the simplest way to correct the record but that was refused.
“We are confident that there is a simple and swift way forwards. It has been done many times previously, and that is through a SIOC.
“We are very much looking forward to working with South Yorkshire Police and we will prepare a consent order for their consideration, which could be lodged at the High Court at the earliest opportunity.”