The police made 'strenuous attempts' to deflect blame from their organisational failings which led to the Hillsborough disaster, a new report has revealed.
The families of the 96 dead in the 1989 tragedy had campaigned to get the previously secret report made public.
Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement: "Today's report is black and white. The Liverpool fans were not at fault for the disaster."
Key findings include:
- 116 of the 164 South Yorkshire Police statements were doctored to remove unfavourable comments.
- There was "no evidence of substance" to support the police account that alcohol and fan aggression played a part in the disaster.
- Police carried out criminal record checks on the dead to attempt to sour their names.
- A number of the dead survived "for a significant period" beyond the 3.15pm cut-off point imposed at the original inquest.
We will have reaction to the report to follow. Let us know your views.
image: © joncandy
Dan Coombs
@hitcdancoombsGoogle+more stories from Dan Coombs
Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.
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