This is the latest update on the Hillsborough investigation.
Most of you will be aware that we recently announced, along
with Operation Resolve(link is
external), that evidence files relating 23
suspects had been formally referred to the Crown Prosecution Service
(CPS)(link is
external) which will decide whether
criminal charges should follow.
This is a significant milestone, however there is still work to
do. The IPCC and Operation
Resolve (link is external)are
continuing to work in Renaissance House in Warrington.
Investigators will support the CPS(link is
external) by undertaking any additional
tasks they require during this decision-making period.
Both teams are also continuing to investigate over
170 allegations of misconduct
received from family members, survivors and members of the
public. Further details on the investigation of
misconduct, and how this differs from criminal matters, is below.
Both teams are also continuing to disclose all ‘unused’ material
related to the investigation, ie, materials
that haven’t been used in the key evidential files, in line with
national legislation and to prepare for any potential criminal
proceedings. This is a huge task and probably one of the biggest
exercises of its kind ever undertaken.
We remain focussed and committed to our work, as we have always
been.
Suspects/Referrals
The IPCC has referred files relating to eight suspects to
the CPS(link is
external) from its independent investigation into
the aftermath of the disaster. The focus of our work has always
been to identify the ‘controlling minds’ of the alleged cover-up
and those individuals who made key decisions at this time.
The information the IPCC has provided to the CPS(link is
external) about West Midlands Police and
South Yorkshire Police runs to 61,000 pages and nearly 3,000
documents respectively.
Misconduct
Our criminal enquiries have substantially concluded, therefore we
are now focussed on completing our examination of more than 170
misconduct allegations relating to
police officers involved in Hillsborough. Some of
these allegations are contained
in complaints received from family members of those who died,
survivors of the tragedy and members of the public. There have
also been potential misconduct issues identified from other
investigative work, including a review of all witness
statements gathered during the course of the wider inquiry.
Misconduct occurs when the professional police standards are
breached by an individual. Police officers and staff can lose
their jobs in the most serious cases where misconduct is proven.
The test to prove whether misconduct has occurred is ‘the balance
of probabilities’, ie, whether it is more likely than not that
standards have been breached. This test has a lower threshold
than the process used to assess whether a criminal offence has
been committed; the criminal standard of proof is that there must
be certainty ‘beyond reasonable doubt’. The evidence we have
gathered so far relating to these officers indicates alleged
misconduct, not criminality. However this can and will be
reviewed if any further evidence emerges as we carry out this
work.
Many of you will be aware that these police officers being
investigated for alleged misconduct have now retired. This means
that they cannot face any disciplinary sanctions if a case to
answer for misconduct is found. However, officers who are no
longer serving can still face criminal proceedings if
the CPS(link is
external) decide to bring criminal
charges.
Final investigation report
Work on our final investigation report is
now well-advanced. The report will contain comprehensive
summaries of the evidence found during the IPCC independent and
managed investigations. It will also state whether any officer
under investigation would have
had a case to answer for misconduct if they were still serving.
The report will be published once any potential criminal
proceedings have concluded.
