RELATIVES of Hillsborough victims won a new inquest into their deaths yesterday – on the day a new police inquiry into the disaster was announced.
Three High Court judges, headed by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, quashed accidental death verdicts returned after 96 Liverpool football fans died in the crush 23 years ago and ordered a fresh inquest.
The application to the court was made by the Government's top law officer, Attorney General Dominic Grieve. It follows the publication in September of a damning report laying bare a cover-up which attempted to shift the blame for the tragedy on to its victims. The Liverpool fans died at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989 at an FA Cup semi-final.
Yesterday, the High Court judges ruled that it was "necessary, desirable and in the interests of justice" that a fresh inquest be held.
It came as a new police investigation into the disaster, led by former Durham chief constable Jon Stoddart, was announced by Home Secretary Theresa May. She said: "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."
Trevor Hicks, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: "Justice is on its way."
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