First the Truth, now Justice

12th September 2012 is a day Liverpool fans will never forget. Just as 15th April 1989, the day when 96 Reds lost their lives at Hillsborough while attending an FA Cup semi-final, is a date etched indelibly on the minds of Merseysiders so the day when the truth about that terrible disaster was finally revealed will inevitably retain its place in the memory.

The findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel dominated news coverage yesterday, as many were shocked at the utter incompetence of the authorities in charge at Hillsborough and the lengths to which they went to try and cover-up their fatal failings.

Little Liverpool supporters didn't already know was revealed, though. We knew that Reds fans, rather than being responsible for the disaster, actually helped alleviate the suffering and worked tirelessly to help in any way they could. We knew that the stadium was unsuitable and represented a health and safety risk. We knew that there was more the medical services could have done to save lives. We knew that the main cause of the disaster was the failure of police to prevent overcrowding. We knew that they then constructed a massive cover-up. We knew the papers printed lies. We knew the real truth.

The findings, nonetheless, were damning. The report found 164 statements were "significantly amended" and 116 "removed negative comments" about the policing, exposing the police's cover-up operation. It was also revealed that the police carried out checks on those who had died in order to "impugn their reputations". This incredibly involved testing children to see if they had been consuming alcohol. Perhaps most disappointing and heartbreaking of all was the revelation that 41 out of 96 lives had the potential to be saved beyond the arbitrarily imposed cut off point of 3.15pm determined by the original inquest into the disaster.

The needless loss of life is devastating for the families, the fans and the nation. The apologies that promptly followed were therefore wholly necessary and a vital first step in the healing process for the families of those who lost loved ones at Hillsborough.

Prime Minister David Cameron issued an unreserved apology to the families on behalf of the Government while his Conservative colleague Boris Johnson apologised for penning an article in 2004 blaming the disaster on the club's supporters. The FA have apologised for picking an unsafe venue for the match. South Yorkshire Police also released a statement saying sorry for their actions before, during and after the tragedy, although the comments of Norman Bettison, a member of their force at the time, have since enraged fans. (How he is given the title of Sir while King Kenny Dalglish, whose actions to support families after the Hillsborough disaster were commendable, is denied the same honour is another bizarre element of the British establishment).

Even Kelvin Mackenzie, the editor behind The Sun's infamous "The Truth" headline, offered what he described as a "profuse apology", although even in his statement supposedly saying sorry he seems to be deflecting blame onto the local MP and Sheffield news agency who, according to the report, originated the fabrications printed in Mackenzie's vile paper.

It must be recognised that these apologies would almost certainly never have been made had the Hillsborough Independent Panel not revealed the truth and, of course, however many times those responsible apologise, 96 families will remain bereaved. 23 years of hurt will not be healed overnight, but at least those in the wrong have, in large part, admitted their errors and attempted some sort of apology.

Now the truth has been established it is essential that justice is achieved for the 96. The verdict of accidental death delivered at the original inquest must be overturned and new inquests must be started. Prosecutions of those responsible are crucial to achieving justice and must be pursued vigorously. They cannot be allowed to escape accountability any longer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans are left with mixed emotions, which were perfectly expressed by Ian Ayre, the club's managing director, yesterday:

"Firstly, (I feel) sadness. Sadness that this whole tragedy was avoidable, and that even when it happened more could have been done to save lives. Secondly, anger. Anger at the cover up we now see, and knowing that our fans, the families and victims have been unnecessarily troubled for 23 years because of that. And thirdly, pride - because I think anyone connected to Liverpool Football Club can be proud today, proud at what the families, our fans around the world and fans of other football clubs have contributed to what we have achieved today. The hard pressure and hard work that people put in, the dedication people put in, and the tireless efforts that delivered all that happened today - that gives us great pride as a football club."

The truth is thankfully finally out. Let's keep on fighting for Justice for the 96!

You'll Never Walk Alone