Questions raised over Bettison’s Liverpool interview

Sir Norman caused massive outcry in Liverpool when he accepted the position of Chief of Merseyside Police in 1998.

His role in preparing South Yorkshire Police’s response to the Hillsborough disaster only became clear after his appointment had been recommended.

Yesterday Wirral councillor Steve Foulks, who resigned in protest from Merseyside Police Authority at the appointment, said he believes a different decision would have been taken had all the information been available.

“I believe there wasn’t enough questioning at the interview stage,” Coun Foulks said.

“If he had been more up front about his role, I believe the strength of feeling was so strong on Merseyside he could not have been given that job.”

Sir Norman served as chief of Merseyside Police for seven years.

Documents released this week include a statement he gave to Merseyside Police Authority in 1998, as he tried to reassure them about his Hillsborough role.

“I did not produce, agree or set the strategy for lawyers,” Sir Norman said. “I have never attempted to shift blame onto the shoulders of Liverpool supporters.”

Yet he held a meeting with South Yorkshire Police’s senior lawyer about their strategy in July 1990 - with points raised including the “clarifying” of junior officers’ statements.

He also helped produce a report which claimed fans were drunk and acted “aggressively”.

Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell said he has questions to answer.

“Anybody who heard his explanation (on Merseyside) would have jumped to a conclusion that is not accurate,” he said. “He might not have been directing the strategy, but he was obviously playing a significant role.”