Thread by @JudithMoritz

After a seismic week for those involved in #Hillsborough, some thoughts from me. (long thread)

I’ve followed Hillsborough closely since 2008 when Anne Williams first collared me at an event and told me her story. I’d assumed that the disaster was finished with. After all, it had happened in 1989. It was past history wasn’t it? I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Anne made it sound as though the news was fresh. She also assumed that I was up to speed on the nuances of coronial law, and jumped straight in at the deep end, details-wise.

This, I learned much later, was classic Anne. She’d become so immersed in the specifics of her own case, and well-versed in the law in general, that you had to work hard to keep up.

I tried to stay on-board the verbal express train. It seemed rude to ask her to slow down, and start at the beginning. What was a ‘fiat’? What did she mean by ‘submitting a memorial’? It sounded highly technical, and far removed from the basic knowledge I had of Hillsborough

Anne pressed a wodge of leaflets into my hand, and asked me to read up on her case. “It’s all there” she said. “I’ve done all my own research”.

The following year I was at Anfield when Andy Burnham addressed the 20th anniversary memorial service. I felt chills down my spine when the cries of “Justice!” rang out. Thanks to Anne’s information, I understood their passion.

Anne was not the only campaigner. Members of The Hillsborough Families Support Group and the Hillsborough Justice Campaign amongst others have given generously of their time to me over the years.

I followed the progress of the Hillsborough Independent Panel. I’ll never forget the day its report was published, 12th September 2012. History made, at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. A government apology. And a city coming together at St George’s plateau that night.

I remember going to the High Court to watch as the first inquest verdicts were quashed in 2013. Anne Williams was there, by now very poorly, but more determined than ever.

Afterwards she told me “"It's a good feeling, because they bounced me from one wall to the other, and I knew what they were doing. I thought, 'They're wearing me down, but I'll wear them down before they wear me down.' And I've actually done it.”

Tragically, Anne did not live long enough to see the start of the new inquests she’d fought for.

I followed the new inquests in Warrington closely from 2014 - 2016. I was in the courtroom when the verdicts were handed down. A huge privilege.The families were crying. The lawyers were crying.And though I had to remain professionally composed, it was impossible not to be moved.

The families put their faith in the two criminal investigations, Operation Resolve and the IPCC/IOPC. But the trials have been devastating and draining for the families.

Mike Benbow, who is a former director of the IOPC Hillsborough investigation told me that the police watchdog submitted comprehensive files to the CPS for consideration before charges were brought...

...He says these included other potential offences including misconduct in public office and referred to additional suspects. But the CPS chose to prosecute solely for perverting the course of justice.

Family lawyers say they sent the CPS an 86 page document with 595 references to the evidence setting out what the charges should be, and who should be charged. They tell me this was not reflected in the prosecution which was brought.

The families have remained composed and dignified throughout. Nobody understands the complexities and depth of Hillsborough more than the families themselves.

Many of the survivors whose lives have been affected by that day have suffered alongside the families. They must never be forgotten in this. Their stories are vital in understanding how one afternoon at a football match has blighted countless lives.

This may be the end of the legal road. But it must not be the end of this country’s awareness of Hillsborough. It touches on every part of our society. Our policing. Our courts. Our politics. Our treatment of victims.

Another thing. When the HIP report was published in 2012 its website went live at the same time, with all the Hillsborough documents available for the public to see. It was taken down when the prosecutions began, as were the inquests transcripts. They should now be re-instated.

Also, thousands of notebooks which were found in a police station basement in 2018 could be destroyed unless action is taken to add them to the archive. HIP chairman Bishop James Jones has told me he’s concerned that police records are not covered by the Public Records Act.

Lastly. I’ve covered Hillsborough as a story. But for those who were there, and those who lost loved ones it’s not a story. It’s real life. It’s harrowing, and often all-consuming. I send my love and thanks to everyone who’s been prepared to share their journey so far with me.