Hillsborough Inquest Verdicts Quashed

Another landmark moment was reached today as the original inquest verdicts of the Hillsborough disaster were quashed at the High Court.

Following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in September, Attorney General Dominic Grieve pledged that he would appeal against the 1990 verdicts of accidental death of the 96 supporters who lost their lives in 1989.

Hillsborough campaigners have fought that conclusion for more than two decades since, and secured a breakthrough in their battle with the release of the panel's report.

The investigation of thousands of previously unseen documents revealed serious emergency services and police misconduct and suggested that up to 41 people could have been saved with a sufficient response.

Grieve made good on his promise this morning, when the High Court accepted his application for the initial inquest results to be dismissed - with many family members of the 96 in attendance in London.

New inquests will now be arranged to deliver fresh verdicts on how the 96 died, and are expected to take place in Doncaster.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, acknowledged a 'profound, almost palpable belief that justice has not been done and that it cannot be done without and until the full truth is revealed'.

He added: "We must record our admiration and respect for their determined search for the truth about the circumstances of the disaster and why and how it had occurred, which - despite disappointments and setbacks - has continued for nearly a quarter of a century.

"Our earnest wish is the new inquest will not be delayed for a moment longer than necessary."

Ian Ayre, Managing Director of Liverpool Football Club, said: "On September 12, the world heard the real truth about what happened at Hillsborough which was a hugely significant and deeply emotional day for everyone.

"Today, the High Court has quashed the original inquest verdicts which is another positive step forward for the families and survivors in their search for justice. 

"Everyone at Liverpool Football Club remains committed to supporting the fight for justice and we hope that every person affected by this can take some comfort from today's announcement."

Further good news followed for the families with the Home Secretary's announcement that a new inquiry has been ordered into various bodies who were accountable for the tragedy 23 years ago.

Led by Jon Stoddart, former Durham Chief Constable, the investigation has been launched with a view to 'ensure nobody with responsibility for fan safety at Hillsborough will escape scrutiny'.

Swifter results and sharing of information will also be achieved with the formation of a Liaison Board - which will bring together each of the separate ongoing investigations into Hillsborough.

Theresa May said: "The findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel were truly shocking, but while the families have now been given the truth, they have not yet received justice.

"Jon Stoddart is a skilled and dedicated investigator who will bring a huge amount of policing experience to this demanding job.

"I am giving the IPCC new powers to investigate police misconduct, but this investigation will ensure nobody with responsibility for fan safety at Hillsborough will escape scrutiny.

"I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."

This week also saw the release of 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother', the Justice Collective charity single which is attempting to raise money on behalf of the fight for justice.

Physical copies are available at all good music retailers and a digital version can be downloaded via iTunes, HMV, 7 Digital and Amazon.

The single will soon be available to buy from Liverpool FC official club stores. The club is not a chart-registered company and so sales of the song have been prioritised to other outlets for the time being, in order for the single to stand a better chance of reaching number one in the Christmas charts.

You can also purchase the track by texting the word 'Justice' to 80010 from your mobile phone in the UK (£1 + standard network rate). From the Republic of Ireland text 'Justice' to 53600 if you would like to order a copy (€1.50 + standard network rate).

Please note that due to the very high demand, texts to download may suffer a delay of a few hours.

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Hillsborough Justice Collective Overtakes James Arthur

The Hillsborough Justice Collective’s tribute single today overtook James Arthur’s Impossible in what has become the tightest-ever battle for the official Christmas number one.

The charity single, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, took a marginal lead based on the first three days of sales data.

According to the Official Charts Company sales data Impossible had been just over 3,000 sales ahead of He Ain't Heavy  (based on sales to midnight on Monday).

But this morning the positions have flipped with The Justice Collective’s track taking a 3,400 sales lead (based on sales up until midnight last night).

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother has sold some 109,700 copies so far this week versus Impossible’s sales of 106,300.

The Official Charts Company’s managing director Martin Talbot said: “This really is the closest number one battle we can remember – even closer than the legendary 2009 battle between Rage Against The Machine and Joe McElderry. The poll concludes at midnight on Saturday night, so there is a long way to go yet – but this one looks like going down to the wire."

The Justice Collective’s project manager Pete Byrne said: “It’s very, very close. There are just 3,400 sales in it. We’re absolutely ecstatic at the response from around the country. In Merseyside it’s been fantastic. But it’s also had a huge reaction farther afield. Now we need to keep up the pressure.

“Everyone needs to keep buying the single. We’re so close now – we just need to make sure that we keep up those sales throughout the week.”

The Justice Collective’s track features an all-star cast including Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Melanie C, Holly Johnson, Ian Prowse, Mike McCartney, Shane MacGowan, The Farm, Gerry Marsden, the RLPO, Kenny Dalglish and John Bishop.

Comedian Bishop said: “We all need to buy the single and keep buying it. Buy ten copies if you can. I know what I’m getting everyone in my family this Christmas. It’s a great song for a great cause. Now we all need to get behind it.”

HMV said if demand continues at this rate the single could generate up to a quarter of a million sales by the end of the week to top the festive charts.

Gennaro Castaldo, from HMV in Liverpool One, said: “The race remains a close one. But with just a few days to go the momentum now appears to be firmly with The Justice Collective.

“Not surprisingly we're seeing particularly phenomenal demand in Liverpool and the North West. But sales are pretty good elsewhere, which show that the campaign is connecting with people around the rest of the country too.”

Source http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

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Hillsborough Charity Single Hits 100,000

Pre-orders of the Hillsborough charity single have already smashed through the 100,000 mark.

The single, a cover of The Hollies' He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother, goes on sale on December 17 with the aim of making it Christmas number one.

The record by the Justice Collective aims to raise money for the fight for justice for the 96 who lost their lives in the 1989 disaster.

Liverpool Walton MP Steve Rotheram, who is helping organise the effort, said: "We are doing really really well with and want people to keep ordering to make this Christmas number one."

The Justice Collective features artists including Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Paloma Faith, Beverley Knight, Melanie C, Andy Brown, Holly Johnson, Mick Jones, Peter Hooton, Chris Sharrock from Oasis, Ian Prowse, Glen Tilbrook, Ren Harvieu, The Zutons, Paul Heaton from The Beautiful South, John Power and Gerry Marsden.

Pre-order now via mobile at a cost of £1. Text 'justice' to 80010 to receive the track on its release date.

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