Liverpool Football Club managing director welcomed today’s developments saying: “Today the High Court has quashed the original inquest verdicts which is another positive step forward for the families and survivors in their search for justice. Everyone at Liverpool Football Club remains committed to supporting the fight for justice and we hope that every person affected by this can take some comfort from today’s announcement.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson spoke of the “overwhelming relief” he shared with the families for whom it had seemed for a long time this day would never come.
He added: “This is a watershed moment on the road to justice for the families of the 96 and I share their overwhelming relief that, after 23 very painful years, the inquest versions have been quashed.
“It is the only right and proper decision that the High Court could make in the wake of the overwhelming and compelling evidence uncovered by the Hillsborough Independent Panel.
“We must all keep up the pressure that has driven the momentum over the last few months to make sure that the families get the justice they deserve.”
And Mr Grieve, who made the application, said: “The families’ long and painful quest for the truth reached a breakthrough with the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report.
“I hope and trust that new inquests will provide a better understanding of how each of their loved ones died, and bring closer the justice for which they have fought so hard.”
IPCC Deputy Chair Deborah Glass added: "Today's announcements are welcome news. The complex and multi-faceted investigations into the Hillsborough disaster are taking shape. The IPCC has been making progress in laying the foundations for our independent investigation into the aftermath and the future investigation into the tragic deaths of 96 people.
"The appointment of Mr Stoddart to lead the investigation into the deaths is a crucial step. His investigation will be into a wide range of agencies outside of the IPCC's remit, but, in order to ensure independence from the police service, we will be managing the element which will look at the actions of police officers in relation to the deaths of the 96 men, women and children. This means that the IPCC will have direction and control of this part of the investigation.
"The two investigations will be closely integrated and will be based in the new offices the IPCC has secured in Warrington. They will share a major incident room with full access to the underlying documentation, and will offer a single point of contact for liaison with the families.
"This is not going to be quick and easy process. But we now have a clear path ahead with all the investigative and prosecutorial bodies working in a coordinated way to complete the full picture for the families of those who died, those who were injured and those who were traumatised by the terrible events at Hillsborough.”
South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable, David Crompton, said: "The Force will continue to cooperate fully with any judicial processes
following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report and online archive.
"We do not want to cause any unnecessary delays for the families and reiterate our commitment to supporting all processes."
The Commissioner for South Yorkshire, Shaun Wright, said: "I welcome these latest developments, which are significant steps forward for the Hillsborough families in their long fight for justice.
"Following the criticisms levelled in the Hillsborough report, it's my goal to help rebuild trust in South Yorkshire Police and I support any process that brings greater accountability to the Force's actions."
