A Hillsborough officer who claimed fans had only climbed free of the fatal crush “to get a better seat” is still employed by South Yorkshire Police, the ECHO can reveal.
The former policeman, who also claimed then Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish had lied to the subsequent Taylor Inquiry into the disaster, now works in an administrative role with the force.
His claims were made in the minutes of a meeting held at South Yorkshire Police Federation’s headquarters in October 1989, which was also attended by ex-Merseyside chief constable Norman Bettison, then a chief inspector.
The minutes formed part of the evidence gathered by the Hillsborough Independent Panel, as did another statement from a named officer.
Both accounts mention the claims about fans who escaped from the overcrowded central pens of the Leppings Lane terrace into the West Stand above, and both refer to contact between the officer and Mr Dalglish, as well as Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough.
In the minutes of the October meeting, Officer N is quoted as saying: “I was in the control box all day.
“I have two points. 1. People being lifted up on to West Stand was not to escape the crush but to get a better seat. This occurred in 1987.
“2. The written statement by Mr. Dalgleish [sic] was totally accepted by the [Taylor] Inquiry without any cross-examination.
“When he came into the Control Box he came with Brian Clough. Clough offered any help. “Dalgleish (sic) was asked to broadcast to fans. His voice could not be heard on the Tannoy yet it had been used quite effectively throughout the disaster. Dalgleish [sic] was allowed to give a written account at the Inquiry which was not true.”
The ECHO understands the former officer is now employed in a civilian role, having retired from the force.
Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group Margaret Aspinall said: “It is a real concern to think that people like this are still employed in some capacity.
“To think that these views can be expressed by someone who is still there nearly 25 years on is shocking.
“It shows how important it has been to establish the truth, as there are still people out there who made disgusting and discredited claims such as this which have affected the public view of what really happened.”
A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: “The IPCC is conducting an investigation into the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster and it is inappropriate for South Yorkshire Police to make any comments or to attempt to investigate the veracity of the Liverpool ECHO’s assertion. Indeed to do so may prejudice the IPCC investigation.
“South Yorkshire Police is cooperating fully with the IPCC and police investigations after the force’s self-referral upon the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report.
“South Yorkshire Police has supplied the details of officers and staff known to be associated with the Hillsborough disaster to the IPCC, so that they may carry out a resilient and complete investigation.
“The force does not intend to prejudge the outcome of the investigations and will await their conclusion to inform any decisions made in respect of serving officers and former officers
The former policeman, who also claimed then Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish had lied to the subsequent Taylor Inquiry into the disaster, now works in an administrative role with the force.
His claims were made in the minutes of a meeting held at South Yorkshire Police Federation’s headquarters in October 1989, which was also attended by ex-Merseyside chief constable Norman Bettison, then a chief inspector.
The minutes formed part of the evidence gathered by the Hillsborough Independent Panel, as did another statement from a named officer.
Both accounts mention the claims about fans who escaped from the overcrowded central pens of the Leppings Lane terrace into the West Stand above, and both refer to contact between the officer and Mr Dalglish, as well as Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough.
In the minutes of the October meeting, Officer N is quoted as saying: “I was in the control box all day.
“I have two points. 1. People being lifted up on to West Stand was not to escape the crush but to get a better seat. This occurred in 1987.
“2. The written statement by Mr. Dalgleish [sic] was totally accepted by the [Taylor] Inquiry without any cross-examination.
“When he came into the Control Box he came with Brian Clough. Clough offered any help. “Dalgleish (sic) was asked to broadcast to fans. His voice could not be heard on the Tannoy yet it had been used quite effectively throughout the disaster. Dalgleish [sic] was allowed to give a written account at the Inquiry which was not true.”
The ECHO understands the former officer is now employed in a civilian role, having retired from the force.
Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group Margaret Aspinall said: “It is a real concern to think that people like this are still employed in some capacity.
“To think that these views can be expressed by someone who is still there nearly 25 years on is shocking.
“It shows how important it has been to establish the truth, as there are still people out there who made disgusting and discredited claims such as this which have affected the public view of what really happened.”
A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: “The IPCC is conducting an investigation into the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster and it is inappropriate for South Yorkshire Police to make any comments or to attempt to investigate the veracity of the Liverpool ECHO’s assertion. Indeed to do so may prejudice the IPCC investigation.
“South Yorkshire Police is cooperating fully with the IPCC and police investigations after the force’s self-referral upon the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report.
“South Yorkshire Police has supplied the details of officers and staff known to be associated with the Hillsborough disaster to the IPCC, so that they may carry out a resilient and complete investigation.
“The force does not intend to prejudge the outcome of the investigations and will await their conclusion to inform any decisions made in respect of serving officers and former officers
