THE Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir Norman Bettison has resigned from his position after allegations that he’d “boasted” about concocting a story to blame innocent Liverpool supporters for the tragedy that unfolded at Hillsborough 23 years ago.
Bettison, who was the head of South Yorkshire Police in 1989 and the man in charge at Hillsborough on that awful day in April, had initially planned to take retirement next year but took the decision to resign yesterday after coming under increasing pressure from the police authority. The news of his resignation was announced just before a meeting of the West Yorkshire Police Authority, prompting speculation that Bettison jumped as he was about to be pushed.
On Tuesday, Labour MP and Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle revealed evidence that Bettison had boasted of making up a story to blame Liverpool fans for the events of that day. Mrs Eagles accused Bettison, who’s always denied any involvement in a “dirty tricks campaign” of being behind the black propaganda released concerning the behaviour of Liverpool fans.
Reading from a letter written by John Barry, a Hillsborough survivor who Bettison allegedly boasted to whilst a part-time student at Sheffield Business School, Mrs Eagle said:
“He told me that he had been asked by his senior officers to put together the South Yorkshire Police evidence for the forthcoming inquiry.
“He said that ‘we are trying to concoct a story that all the Liverpool fans were drunk and we were afraid that they were going to break down the gates so we decided to open them.”
Bettison is currently being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, along with 1,443 other police officers who were involved with the greatest, most cynical and despicable police cover up of modern British history. The fresh allegations made by Mrs. Eagle will likely increase the pressure for Bettison to be sacked without receiving his sizeable police pension.
Bettison has denied the accusation and said on the subject of his resignation:
“I do so, not because of any allegations about the past, but because I share the view that this has become a distraction to policing in West Yorkshire now and in the future.”
Margaret Aspinall, head of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, welcomed the news of Bettison’s decision but feels that the former South Yorkshire Police Chief should have his pension frozen (a reported £83,000 per year) until the investigation into the police cover-up has been concluded.
“I’m absolutely delighted he’s gone but as far as I am concerned he should have been sacked.
“I would now like to know what payments and pension he’s going to get. Any financial benefits should be frozen until the outcome of the investigation into the cover-up.
“This is not the end of it, the next thing is to make sure his role is properly investigated.
“He’s not the only one who we believe took part in this cover-up. But as a senior officer he should have been honest from the very beginning,” she told Mail Online.
“He allowed the families to suffer for 23-years while knowing the truth all along.”
The investigation into the full story of exactly what happened and who was to blame for the disaster that unfolded 23 years ago continues and many more police officers, and others tasked to protect the Liverpool fans that day, are likely to face tough questions and possible criminal charges. The Home Secretary, Theresa May, is determined that the investigations should be carried out to their fullest end and said that the government is considering fast-tracking new laws, which will force officers to give evidence to help the IPCC carry out its new investigation.
“This includes proposals to require current and ex-police officers who were maybe witnesses to a crime to attend an interview.”
The Home Secretary went on to praise the courage and persistence of the families of the 96 and re-iterated the government’s determination to deliver justice for the victims and their loved ones.
‘Their persistence and indomitability has been an inspiration and I offer them the commitment the Government will do everything in its power to move them from truth to justice.”
It has taken 23 years for the wheels of truth to finally turn. It now seems, at least, as if the wheels of justice may just be turning that little bit quicker in order to catch up. We can only wait and hope for the families’ sake that justice is eventually done and all those responsible get what’s coming to them, not least Norman Bettison.
You can catch up with Neil on Twitter @Neil1980 or on his blog http://itsallinthegameblog.wordpress.com/
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Good news about Bettison.
Lets not get distracted and forget about the others who need to be brought to justice.
FA had a role in the disaster by allowing the game to be played there.
Justice for the 96.
YNWA