A leading Hillsborough campaigner who wrote what is regarded as the definitive account of the disaster has turned down an OBE in the Queen's New Years Honours list.

Professor Phil Scraton, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team, rejected the honour in protest "at those who remained unresponsive" to efforts for truth and justice after the tragedy.

The academic, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team, was one of the campaigners given the freedom of the city of Liverpool in September for his work. </s> Hillsborough campaigner and Queen's University academic Prof Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

He said he could not receive an honour in protest "at those who remained unresponsive" to help families and survivors affected by the disaster.

Ninety-six people died following a crush at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.

In April, an inquest jury concluded the fans were unlawfully killed.

Prof Scraton's book, Hillsborough: The Truth, is widely accepted as the definitive account of the disaster.

In a statement, he said: "I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990.

"Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough, independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

"This changed as a direct result of the families' and survivors' brave, persistent campaign.

"It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its ground-breaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts."

Prof Scraton has previously received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool, the Political Studies Association's Campaigner of the Year Award and an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from the University of Liverpool "with gratitude and humility".

But he added: "I headed the Panel's research team and was a consultant to the families' lawyers throughout the new inquests.

"I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice."

Hillsborough campaigners Margaret Aspinall and Trevor Hicks, who both lost children in the disaster at the home ground of Sheffield Wednesday, were made CBEs in 2014.

Prof Scraton acknowledged his decision "might come as a disappointment to some Hillsborough families, survivors and whoever nominated me".

However, he added: "Finally, I could not accept an honour tied in name to the 'British Empire'.

"In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy." </s> Academic refuses honour in protest against ‘those who remained unresponsive’ to efforts for justice after the tragedy

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A Hillsborough campaigner and academic has turned down an OBE in the Queen’s New Year honours list in protest against those who failed to help survivors of the disaster and their bereaved families.

Prof Phil Scraton, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s research team, refused the honour in protest “at those who remained unresponsive” to efforts for truth and justice after the tragedy.

An inquest jury concluded in April that the 96 who died in the crush at Hillsborough stadium on 15 April 1989 were unlawfully killed.

Scraton’s book, Hillsborough: The Truth, is regarded as a definitive account of the disaster and he was given the freedom of the city of Liverpool for his work.

In a statement reported by the BBC, he said: “I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990. Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

“This changed as a direct result of the families’ and survivors’ brave, persistent campaign. It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its groundbreaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts.”

He added: “I headed the panel’s research team and was a consultant to the families’ lawyers throughout the new inquests. I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice.”

Scraton said he appreciated his decision “might come as a disappointment to some Hillsborough families, survivors and whoever nominated me,” the BBC said.

But he added: “I could not accept an honour tied in name to the ‘British empire’. In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy.” </s> Hillsborough campaigner Professor Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

The author said he could not receive an honour in protest “at those who remained unresponsive” to help families and survivors affected by the disaster.

Ninety-six supporters died following a crush at Hillsborough during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

In April, 27 years on, a jury considering their inquests in Warrington concluded that the fans were unlawfully killed.

Prof Scraton wrote the acclaimed book Hillsborough: The Truth and led the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s research team, which set in motion the legal process.

In a statement, he said: “I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990. Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough, independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

“This changed as a direct result of the families’ and survivors’ brave, persistent campaign. It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its ground-breaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts.

“I headed the Panel’s research team and was a consultant to the families’ lawyers throughout the new inquests.

“I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice.

“In recognition of my work on Hillsborough I have received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool, the Political Studies Association’s Campaigner of the Year Award (alongside Margaret Aspinall, Chair of the HFSG) and an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from the University of Liverpool (my alma mater). I received these awards from my peers with gratitude and humility.

“Finally, I could not accept an honour tied in name to the ‘British Empire’. In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy.”

The ECHO exclusively serialised the new, updated version of Prof Scraton’s expertly-researched account last summer.

New chapters detail the work and findings of the Independent Panel, and all that followed including the new inquests and their uncompromising verdicts. </s> Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Prof Scraton received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in September

Hillsborough campaigner Prof Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

The author, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team, said he could not receive an honour in protest "at those who remained unresponsive" to help families and survivors affected by the disaster.

Ninety-six people died following a crush at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.

In April, an inquest jury concluded the fans were unlawfully killed.

Image caption The inquests into the deaths of 96 fans were the longest in UK legal history

Prof Scraton's book, Hillsborough: The Truth, is widely accepted as the definitive account of the disaster.

In a statement, he said: "I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990.

"Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough, independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

"This changed as a direct result of the families' and survivors' brave, persistent campaign.

"It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its ground-breaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts."

Image copyright Richard Stonehouse/Getty Images Image caption Hillsborough campaigners Trevor Hicks and Margaret Aspinall and former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish received Freedom of the City of Liverpool medals in September

Prof Scraton has previously received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool, the Political Studies Association's Campaigner of the Year Award and an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from the University of Liverpool "with gratitude and humility".

But he added: "I headed the Panel's research team and was a consultant to the families' lawyers throughout the new inquests.

"I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice."

Hillsborough campaigners Margaret Aspinall and Trevor Hicks, who both lost children in the disaster at the home ground of Sheffield Wednesday, were made CBEs in 2014.

Prof Scraton acknowledged his decision "might come as a disappointment to some Hillsborough families, survivors and whoever nominated me".

However, he added: "Finally, I could not accept an honour tied in name to the 'British Empire'.

"In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy."

Image copyright Reuters Image caption The behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated at the conclusion of the inquests in April

Fresh inquests in April concluded that the 96 football fans who died as a result of a crush at Hillsborough were unlawfully killed,

The jury found that match commander Ch Supt David Duckenfield was "responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence" due to a breach of his duty of care.

Police errors also added to a dangerous situation at the FA Cup semi-final.

After a 27-year campaign by victims' families, the behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated.

The jury found they did not contribute to the danger unfolding at the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday's ground. </s> A Hillsborough campaigner and academic has turned down an OBE in protest to decades of Government inaction and failure to help bereaved families.

Professor Phil Scraton was named in the Queen's New Year's Honours List after a landmark ruling this year that the 96 who died in the stadium were 'unlawfully killed'.

But he has refused the Order of the British Empire honour in protest to years of inaction and because of a moral objection to historical 'imperialism'.

'I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice,' he said in a statement reported by the BBC.

The academic added: 'I could not accept an honour tied in name to the "British Empire". In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy.'

He also said that he appreciated his decision 'might come as a disappointment to some Hillsborough families, survivors and whoever nominated me', the BBC said.

Prof Scraton led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team and his book, Hillsborough: The Truth, is regarded as a definitive account of the disaster. He was given the freedom of the city of Liverpool for his work.

Speaking of his work, he told the BBC: 'I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990.

'Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

'This changed as a direct result of the families' and survivors' brave, persistent campaign.

'It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its ground-breaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts.'

'I headed the panel's research team and was a consultant to the families' lawyers throughout the new inquests.'

An inquest jury concluded in April that the 96 who died in the crush at Hillsborough Stadium on April 15 1989 were unlawfully killed.

The verdict finally ended years of injustice after South Yorkshire Police had blamed football fans for the death in the FA Cup final against Nottingham Forest.

The jury's findings presented a damning indictment of the way the match was organised and managed - and the failures of emergency services to respond after the disaster unfolded. </s> The six people charged over the Hillsborough disaster include the Match Commander for South Yorkshire Police and a lawyer who helped the force in the aftermath of the tragedy that resulted in 96 deaths.

Operation Resolve, which investigated the causes of the 1989 disaster, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) passed files of evidence relating to 23 suspects, including individuals and organisations, to the Crown Prosecution Service earlier this year.

Of these, 15 suspects related to Operation Resolve’s investigation into the causes of the disaster. A further eight individuals related to the IPCC’s independent investigation into both South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police and the alleged cover-up of the disaster.

On Wednesday, shortly before midday, the CPS announced six people had been charged.

David Duckenfield, who was the Match Commander for South Yorkshire Police on the day of the disaster, has been charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 of the 96 disaster victims, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

He cannot be charged with the manslaughter of Anthony Bland, the 96th casualty of the disaster, because he died four years after the tragedy.

Donald Denton, the former Chief Superintendent with South Yorkshire Police has been charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of justice.

As does, Peter Metcalf, the solicitor acting for the South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests.

Former Sheffield Wednesday secretary Graham Mackrell is charged with three offences relating to health and safety at sports grounds.

The defendants, other than Duckenfield, will appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 9 August 2017. The police need to apply to the High Court to remove a stay, in place since 1995, to take him to court. </s> Six individuals, including four former members of the South Yorkshire Police (SYP), have been charged over the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 which left 96 Liverpool fans dead.

Former SYP Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, who was the match commander of the FA Cup semifinal which saw 96 fans crushed to death, will face charges of manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 of the victims. For legal reasons Duckenfield has not been charged over the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, who died four years after the tragedy.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) must apply to the High Court to lift an order imposed on Duckenfield after he was prosecuted privately in 1999. That must be removed before he can be charged with 95 cases of manslaughter.

Families of the victims gathered in Warrington, England on Wednesday and were told about the charges by the CPS, who later released the following statement.

Other individuals who will be prosecuted include the former Chief Constable of Merseyside and West Yorkshire police, Sir Norman Bettison, who is facing four charges misconduct in office following the disaster, while former SYP Chief Superintendent Donald Denton and SYP Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster have both been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Former Sheffield Wednesday chief executive and designated safety officer Graham Mackrell has been charged with breaching the terms of the stadium’s safety certificate and failing to take reasonable care under the the Health and Safety at Work act, plus SYP solicitor, Peter Metcalf, has also been charged.

The families of those who perished at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough over 28 years ago have fought for justice ever since with Liverpool Football Club and the wider soccer community supporting the families in their battle.

From 1991 until 2014 they struggled to cope with the cost of a lengthy legal battle, but that all changed as the UK government have funded the legal costs for all the victims families with the total investigation now spanning four-and-a-half years and costing over $128.2 million.

Last April a verdict of “unlawful killing” was reached for the 96 victims after a new inquest was launched into the deaths following the original verdict from 1991 being quashed by the High Court in 2012 after a report from the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

The new inquest then prompted a new police criminal investigation as Operation Resolve was set up to determine what led up to the deadly crush, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) then investigated what happened after the tragedy and allegations that SYP had perverted the court of justice and tried to cover up their own responsibility.

The defendants, apart from Duckenfield, will appear in Warrington Magistrates Court on Aug. 9. </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Crown Prosecution Service statement on Hillsborough

Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield faces 95 charges of manslaughter and five other senior figures will be prosecuted over the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

Mr Duckenfield was match commander at the FA Cup semi-final when 96 Liverpool fans were fatally injured in a crush.

Ex-South Yorkshire Police (SYP) Ch Insp Sir Norman Bettison, two officers, a solicitor and a Sheffield Wednesday club secretary also face charges.

Campaigners said the charges "send a message about accountability".

Last year, new inquests into the disaster at the Liverpool v Nottingham Forest match, held at Sheffield Wednesday's ground, concluded the fans had been unlawfully killed.

The inquests found that Liverpool supporters were not responsible for the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles.

For legal reasons, Mr Duckenfield cannot be charged over the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died four years after the disaster, prosecutors said.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) must apply to the High Court to lift an order imposed after he was prosecuted privately in 1999, which must be removed before he can be charged.

An application will be made to the High Court in a matter of weeks and a senior judge will make a ruling in due course.

Image caption (Left to right, top to bottom) Sir Norman Bettison, Graham Mackrell, Peter Metcalf, Alan Foster and Donald Denton

The full list of individuals and charges are:

Mr Duckenfield, 72, faces manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 men, women and children

Sir Norman, 61, faces four charges of misconduct in a public office relating to alleged lies he told in the aftermath about the culpability of fans

Graham Mackrell, former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, will be accused of breaching Health and Safety and Safety at Sports Ground legislation

Peter Metcalf, who was a solicitor acting for SYP, is charged with perverting the course of Justice, relating to changes to witness statements

Former Ch Supt Donald Denton and former Det Ch Insp Alan Foster are accused of perverting the course of justice

The six men charged over Hillsborough

Hillsborough: Criminal charges explained

The defendants, other than Mr Duckenfield, will appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court on 9 August.

No organisation will face corporate charges and no-one from the ambulance service will be charged, said Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter-terrorism at the CPS.

She explained that Sheffield Wednesday is now a "different company" and, as it is not a successor organisation, is not criminally liable for any offences that might have been committed in 1989.

Hillsborough investigations £56.5m cost of Operation Resolve £42m cost of IPCC investigation 17,000 lines of inquiry by Operation Resolve

11,000 statements taken by Operation Resolve

190,000 documents reviewed by IPCC investigation

23,000 images reviewed by IPCC investigation Getty Images

The CPS brought charges following referrals from the Operation Resolve investigation into the causes of the disaster and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) probe.

Assistant Commissioner Rob Beckley, from Operation Resolve, said: "Our inquiry looked at all aspects of the event, including the planning and the preparation for the game, the safety of the stadium and the response by the emergency services."

Twelve individuals and three organisations were referred to the CPS by the Resolve team.

The IPCC investigated the conduct of both SYP and West Midlands Police (WMP) in the days and weeks afterwards.

Any decision regarding WMP, which was brought in to carry out the original investigation into the conduct of SYP officers, will be made at a later date.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Trevor Hicks and Margaret Aspinall spoke to reporters after the announcement

Ms Hemming made the announcement of the intended prosecutions to victims' families at a private meeting in Warrington earlier.

She said: "Following our careful review of the evidence, in accordance with the code for Crown prosecutors, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge six individuals with criminal offences.

"Criminal proceedings have now commenced and the defendants have a right to a fair trial."

'We need peace'

Campaigner Trevor Hicks, whose daughters Victoria, 15, and Sarah, 19, died in the disaster, said: "There will be six people facing criminal charges who might not have done if we hadn't been resilient and all stuck together and fought this long fight.

"There are no winners in this, it doesn't bring anybody back.

"What it does do is send a message about accountability, as we keep saying, that nobody but nobody is above the law; be it the police or anybody else."

Chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Margaret Aspinall, whose son James, 18, was killed, said: "This is definitely the start of the end.

"I think everybody needs that, I think we all need peace from Hillsborough but we can never have peace until we've got truth, justice, accountability.

"I think that's the time we'll all have peace."

Image copyright PA Image caption Barry Devonside leaving Parr Hall in Warrington after the charges were announced

Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, was killed in the disaster, said: "Everybody applauded when it was announced that the most senior police officer on that particular day will have charges presented to him."

Evelyn McDonnell Mills, whose brother Peter McDonnell, 21, died, said she was "really happy", but sad that her brother who campaigned for years and died during the new inquests never got to see their conclusion.

Image copyright PA Image caption Relatives hugged and wiped away tears after the CPS announced its decision to charge six individuals

Pete Weatherby QC, who represents 22 of the victims' families, said they had "always known that accountability is the most difficult objective".

"They remain keen to see the criminal process properly pursued for those who have been charged... [and] hope that the memories of their loved ones and the integrity of the fans who attended Hillsborough will be respected during the process."

Lawyer Marcia Willis-Stewart, speaking on behalf other families, said: "The families are sensitive to the issues of fairness and due process and no-one wishes to prejudice or to jeopardise it.

"There are of course various legal options open to the families where decisions have been made not to prosecute, in the form of the victim and judicial review process."

Who were the 96 victims?

Image caption Inquests into the disaster at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium concluded the fans had been unlawfully killed

BBC News profiles of all those who died

At Prime Minister's Questions, Theresa May said: "I know from working closely with the families when I was home secretary that this will be a day of mixed emotions for them."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn offered a "tribute to all of those that spent a great deal of time trying to ensure there was justice for those that died at Hillsborough".

Sir Norman has said he is "disappointed to be charged" and will "vigorously defend" his innocence.

Mr Duckenfield and Mr Denton's legal representative Ian Lewis, from JMW Solicitors said "it would be inappropriate for me as their solicitor, or for my clients themselves, to make any comment".

Mr Metcalf declined to comment.

Dr Alan Billings, the South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner, said he hoped the start of criminal proceedings would "lead to a measure of closure for the family members who have experienced a long and traumatic process".

Sheffield Wednesday said the club had no comment to make.
The academic Phil Scraton refuses an OBE granted to him by Elizabeth II in her 2017 New Year Honours list for his work on the Hillsborough disaster. Professor Scraton wrote Hillsborough: The Truth, first published in 1990 and seen as the definitive account of the disaster.