The full answers from the Hillsborough jury

The full answers from the Hillsborough jury
The Hillsborough disaster unfoldsThe Hillsborough disaster unfolds
The Hillsborough disaster unfolds

INQUEST

They were all yes/no answers but the jury was allowed to give a further explanation for their decisions if they wished to.

The answers they returned were:

:: Question One - Basic facts of the disaster

Do you agree with the following statement which is intended to summarise the basic facts of the Disaster: “Ninety-six people died as a result of the Disaster at Hillsborough Stadium on 15 April 1989 due to crushing in the central pens of the Leppings Lane terrace, following the admission of a large number of supporters to the Stadium through exit gates.”

Answer: Yes

:: Question Two - Police planning for the semi-final match

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Was there any error or omission in police planning and preparation for the semi-final match on 15 April 1989 which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed on the day of the match?

Answer: Yes

The jury’s explanation was: “The jury feel that there were major omissions in the 1989 Operational Order including:

* specific instructions for managing the crowds outside the Leppings Lane turnstiles;

* specific instructions as to how the pens were to be filled and monitored;

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* specific instructions as to who would be responsible for the monitoring of pens.”

:: Question Three - Policing of the match and the situation at the turnstiles

Was there any error or omission in policing on the day of the match which caused or contributed to a dangerous situation developing at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?

Answer: Yes

The jury’s explanation was: “Police response to the increasing crowds at Leppings Lane was slow and un-coordinated. The road closure and sweep of fans exacerbated the situation. No filter cordons were placed in Leppings Lane. No contingency plans were made for the sudden arrival of a large number of fans. Attempts to close the perimeter gates were made too late.”

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:: Question Four - Policing of the match and the crush on the terrace

Was there any error or omission by commanding officers which caused or contributed to the crush on the terrace?

Answer: Yes

The jury’s explanation was: “Commanding officers should have ordered the closure of the central tunnel before the opening of gate C was requested, as pens three and four were full. Commanding officers should have requested the number of fans still to enter the stadium after 2.30pm. Commanding officers failed to recognise that pens three and four were at capacity before gate C was opened. Commanding officers failed to order the closure of the tunnel as gate C was opened.”

:: Question Five - The opening of the gates

When the order was given to open the exit gates at the Leppings Lane end of the Stadium, was there any error or omission by the commanding officers in the control box which caused or contributed to the crush on the terrace?

Answer: Yes

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The jury’s explanation was: “Commanding officers did not inform officers in the inner concourse prior to the opening of gate C. Commanding officers failed to consider where the incoming fans would go. Commanding officers failed to order the closure of the central tunnel prior to the opening of gate C.”

:: Question Six - Determination on unlawful killing issue

Are you satisfied, so that you are sure, that those who died in the Disaster were unlawfully killed?

Answer: Yes (By a 7-2 majority verdict)

:: Question Seven - Behaviour of the supporters

Was there any behaviour on the part of football supporters which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?

Answer: No

If your answer to the question above is “no”, please answer the following question. Was there any behaviour on the part of football supporters which may have caused or contributed to the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?

Answer: No