THE original Hillsborough inquest verdicts of accident death have been overturned at the High Court in London.

The Lord Chief Justice Lord Igor Judge said the new evidence  unearthed by the Hillsborough  Independent Panel meant it was  “inevitable” the verdicts  should be  quashed and new inquests  ordered.

He said: “The effects must be that  the truth, however distressing or  unpalatable, will be brought out  into the light. Let’s pause for the  memory of each of the victims who  should be properly respected.” 

President of Hillsborough Family Support Group Trevor Hicks told reporters outside the court: “We are  absolutely delighted. Justice is on  its way. This is a huge step for the  families.”

Attorney General Dominic Grieve argued the evidence showed  there was “a real risk that justice  has not been done” – and that new  inquests were needed.

The main ground for the  application was the new medical  evidence which concluded  41 fans  had the “potential to survive”  beyond original coroner Stefan  Popper’s 3.15pm cut-off point.

A supporting factor was the  revelation police and ambulance  service statements were changed to  shift blame onto fans.

The safety record at Sheffield  Wednesday FC’s Hillsborough  stadium, which did not have a  valid  safety certificate, was another  supporting element.

The Attorney General said:  “Only new inquests can give a fuller  answer as to whether intervention  would have altered the tragically  fatal outcome.

“That may lead to a markedly  different conclusion as to how the  deceased came by their death that  would be recorded in new  inquisitions. As such only new  inquest, rather than a further  judicial inquiry, can meet the  interests of justice.”

Lord Judge said the application  had sound grounds and he  explained his reasons for ordering  new inquests into the deaths of the  96 Liverpool fans.

He also paid tribute to the  families saying: “We must record  our admiration for the determined  search for the truth, for the causes  of the disaster and how it  occurred.

He also rounded on the decision  to take blood alcohol samples from  victims as part of the flawed initial  inquests.

The Lord Chief Justice added:  “This decision conveyed the  impression to families that it  explicitly or implicitly suggested  that the deceased had somehow  contributed to the disaster… [in  fact] each one was a helpless victim  of those terrible events.”