‘Profoundly sorry’ chief constable open to possibility of prosecutions

The chief constable of South Yorkshire Police said he was “profoundly sorry” for his force’s actions in the aftermath of the disaster.

David Crompton said he had been “shocked” by the findings of the report.

“In the immediate aftermath senior officers sought to change the record of events,” Crompton said. “Disgraceful lies were told which blamed the Liverpool fans for the disaster.

“I am profoundly sorry for the way the force failed on 15th April 1989 and I am doubly sorry for the injustice that followed and I apologise to the families of the 96 and Liverpool fans.

“South Yorkshire Police failed the victims and families. The police lost control.

“South Yorkshire Police is a very different place in 2012 from what it was 23 years ago and we will be fully open and transparent in helping to find answers to the questions posed by the panel today.”

Crompton told BBC News: “I think some grave errors were made in this particular case.

“What we are talking about are some very serious errors and misjudgments that were made in relation to Hillsborough and the aftermath of it, and I think the panel have brought that out today, and I am shocked by it and so are my senior people.”

He said what happened “adds up to about the worst possible set of circumstances anyone could possibly imagine”.

“Even now, 23 years after the event, I would wish to profoundly apologise not only to the families of the 96, but also Liverpool fans in general,” he added.

Asked whether people should face prosecution, Mr Crompton said: “If people are shown to have acted criminally, then they should face prosecution, it’s a very simple equation for me.”

Asked whether he expected to be working with the Independent Police Complaints Commission fairly shortly on this, Crompton said: “We will offer whatever help [we can], whether it’s to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, or anybody else.”