Settlements reached on Hillsborough claims

The disaster at the FA Cup semi-final 32 years ago killed 96 Liverpool fans, and their families and friends have endured a gruelling campaign for justice.

A trial against two retired police officers and a solicitor accused of perverting the course of justice collapsed in May after Mr Justice William Davis ruled there was insufficient evidence for the trial to proceed. The three, who all worked for South Yorkshire Police, were each accused of two counts of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice. All three were acquitted.

However, David Greene, senior partner of Edwin Coe, confirmed last week that South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police have since agreed settlement with 600 claimants including survivors and families of the 96 deceased. The settlement was agreed with all law firms representing clients under the Group Litigation Order and is agreed in principle and yet to be quantified on an individual basis. All Edwin Coe clients were in the stadium on the day.

Greene said the compensation relates to the post-disaster cover up and misfeasance in public office.

‘Despite recent comments following the criminal case collapse there was definitely a cover up and misfeasance in public office,’ Greene said.

‘The cover-up was detailed by the Hillsborough Independent Panel in September 2012, its existence was accepted by the then Chief Constable of the South Yorkshire police, acknowledged by the then Prime Minister David Cameron, and by the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. The Inquest jury in the 2014-2016 inquests found that the behaviour of the fans did not contribute to the deaths of the 96. The attempt to rewrite history is an affront to those that died, the survivors and families.

‘We trust that a settlement will put an end to any fresh attempts to rewrite the record and wrongly claim that there was no cover-up. In so commenting, we contrast the dignity of the bereaved families and the supporters, with the conduct of those who still seek to peddle the discredited lies of the past.’