‘The report is black and white – the Liverpool fans were not the cause of the disaster… ‘, said David Cameron a few hours ago. Finally, the truth is out, for all to see. The families of the bereaved and those that have campaigned long and hard for the past 23 years should have some kind of closure. Not complete, in all likelihood, far from complete, but they will have some solace at least. And given that they have waited so long for this day, it’s certainly the beginning of what will no doubt be a difficult process of closure, having waited more than two decades.
David Cameron publicly, and unreservedly, apologized on behalf of the government, for what he called ‘the double injustice’ that the families of the Hillsborough victims have had to endure over the years, first in losing their loved ones, then in having to campaign for 23 years to clear their names of any wrong-doing. It would be hard to fathom just how it will feel to have that weight lifted from their collective shoulders; to know that over two decades of pushing for the truth has finally seen officialdom cave and allow the facts – the real facts – to come out. Names can be cleared and now the families involved can maybe, finally, return to some semblance of a normal life.
The Prime Minister went on to say that ‘164 police statements were amended’, with 116 comments critical of or attacking the police reaction removed. Together with a local Sheffield news-agency, local police authorities sought to shift blame from themselves onto the Liverpool fans.
As a city, Liverpool can unite once again, knowing that our collective reputation – whilst no doubt irreparably tarnished in some parts of the country (and media) – has been restored and those that sought to forever muddy the reputation of a great city and a great set of football fans at the cost of their own necks, will take a long look at themselves and see themselves for the cowardly, despicable excuse for human beings they are.
The resolve, determination and indefatigable dignity with which the Hillsborough families have conducted themselves is in stark contrast to those that looked to besmirch their loved ones and the survivors. And it is a wonder they have managed to retain that dignity in the face of such treatment. The fact that the report has finally absolved their loved ones of any wrong-doing is most important of all, reading, the Liverpool fans ‘neither caused, nor contributed to the deaths’, with the disaster being called a complete ‘operational failure’.
This is a momentous day. For the families, for the city and for the country, and despite the closure this will no doubt bring, the events of 23 years ago should never be forgotten. If for nothing else, to ensure that nothing even remotely similar (or anything that has happened since) happens ever again.
The fact still remains though: it should never have taken this long.
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I have Just clicked on the Newsnow.com blogs from a certain club that plays in red by accident and other than comments from a former Evertonian it is all very quiet, in fact not one comment as yet. Whether they’re hanging their heads in shame or worrying about legal action now that the truth is out I don’t know. It would have been nice to have seen some apologies but I suppose that is too much to ask.