Police may
refuse to testify at disaster
inquests

SOUTH Yorkshire police officers may refuse to give evidence at the new inquests for the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster for fear of incriminating themselves, according to a lawyer representing rank-and-file officers.
Donna Miller who lost her brother Paul Carlile arrives at a preliminary hearing in London today into the deaths of 96 people killed in the Hillsborough disaster of 1989.Donna Miller who lost her brother Paul Carlile arrives at a preliminary hearing in London today into the deaths of 96 people killed in the Hillsborough disaster of 1989.
Donna Miller who lost her brother Paul Carlile arrives at a preliminary hearing in London today into the deaths of 96 people killed in the Hillsborough disaster of 1989.

There were gasps and cries of outrage from justice campaigners in court yesterday as the Police Federation requested the long-called-for inquests be delayed for several more years until all criminal inquiries relating to the stadium disaster are complete.

The families of the 96 have campaigned for fresh inquests for their loved ones for more than two decades, since the original hearing in Sheffield returned now-discredited verdicts of accidental death.

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That ruling was quashed by the High Court in December following the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report, which found the original hearings were deeply flawed and that almost half of those who died might have been saved.

At a pre-inquest hearing in London yesterday, the new coroner Lord Justice Goldring said the fresh inquests will take place early next year, and rejected calls from rank-and-file police officers to delay the process until ongoing criminal inquiries are finished.

“The inquests will not await the outcome of the investigations,” Lord Justice Goldring said.

“I don’t think it would be sensible, or indeed a kindness to anyone, to set an unrealistic date as to when they start. I will simply say they will start in early 2014.”

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The decision was warmly welcomed by the families, who have requested the new inquests be held as quickly as possible. A number of campaigners have serious health issues, and several have already died without seeing justice for their children.

But Paul Greaney QC, for the Police Federation, told the court the inquests should not start until any possible criminal proceedings, and appeals, have finished.

Acknowledging he was taking an “unpopular and minority” position, Mr Greaney made his points to gasps of disbelief and shouts of “disgrace”. One woman walked out of the room.

But Mr Greaney said that with criminal proceedings under way, any person under investigation could refuse to answer questions for fear of self-incrimination.

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He said it would be wrong to hold an inquest on “partial and possibly flawed basis”.

But Lord Justice Goldring assured the families the inquests will seek to expose “any culpable or discreditable conduct”.

He said a decision on the location of the hearings would be made next week. Some families are calling for the inquests to be held in the North West while others want them held in London.

Afterwards, families expressed concern about the stance of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers.

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Barry Devonside, 66, who lost his 18-year-old son Christopher at Hillsborough, said he was worried about police refusing to co-operate at the inquests.

“That happened last time, and it is a danger it is going to happen again,” he said. “It is something we cannot get around.”

The issue of potential witnesses trying to obstruct the new inquiries was emphasised further yesterday when the Independent Police Complaints Commission revealed “a small number” of organisations and individuals are refusing to hand over documents to aid its criminal inquiry.

The police watchdog expects to interview almost 2,000 serving and retired police officers over the next two years, and is currently trying to gather all documents related to the stadium disaster.

It said in a statement: “A small number of organisations and individuals have been resistant to disclosure, and are seeking further legal advice. We are continuing to try to resolve these issues.”