Six individuals have been charged with criminal offences in relation to the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath.
Two of these are ex-police officers. David Duckenfield, who was the match commander on the day, has been charged with Manslaughter by Gross Negligence of 95 people. Former chief constable Norman Bettison faces four charges of Misconduct in a Public Office.
96 Liverpool fans died following a crush at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough.
Duckenfield cannot be charged with the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as it occurred four years after Hillsborough.
This morning, the Crown Prosecution Service released the following statement:
The CPS has today (28 June 2017) announced its charging decisions in relation to the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath.
Sue Hemming, the CPS Head of Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, made the announcement to families of the deceased at a private meeting in Warrington this morning.
She said: "Following our careful review of the evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge six individuals with criminal offences.
"Criminal proceedings have now commenced and the defendants have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
Charges have been authorised against:• David Duckenfield, who was the Match Commander for South Yorkshire Police on the day of the disaster
• Graham Henry Mackrell, who was Sheffield Wednesday Football Club's company secretary and safety officer at the time of the disaster in 1989
• Peter Metcalf, the solicitor acting for the South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests • Former Chief Superintendent Donald Denton of South Yorkshire Police
• Former Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster of South Yorkshire Police
• Norman Bettison, a former officer with South Yorkshire Police and subsequently Chief Constable of Merseyside and West Yorkshire Police
The decisions have also this morning been relayed to other interested parties, including the defendants and other suspects who were referred to the CPS by Operation Resolve and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
