icScotland - Sir Norman: I have nothing to hide
icScotland logo
icScotland News Sport icHomes
Search icScotland for:
Today's UK news
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article

Sir Norman: I have nothing to hide

12:05, Sep 13 2012

 

Sir Norman Bettison, the most senior serving police officer who was involved with South Yorkshire Police's discredited Hillsborough operation, said he had "nothing to hide".

Sir Norman, the current Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, has faced calls to quit following the publication of an independent report into the tragedy in which 96 Liverpool fans were killed.

In a statement he described his role on April 15 1989 and added: "I never altered a statement nor asked for one to be altered."

The damning report, published on Wednesday by the Hillsborough Independent Panel, laid bare a shocking cover-up which attempted to shift the blame on to its 96 victims. The report found that 164 police statements were altered, 116 of them to remove or alter "unfavourable" comments about the policing of the match and the unfolding disaster.

The families of the Liverpool fans killed 23 years ago said the report had vindicated them, and have pledged to carry on their fight by pursuing criminal prosecutions against those who they said should "hang their heads in shame".

Sir Norman was an off duty police inspector when he attended the game and was involved in an internal inquiry held in its aftermath.

He said: "I really welcome the disclosure of all the facts that can be known about the Hillsborough tragedy because I have absolutely nothing to hide. I read the 395 page report from cover to cover last night and that remains my position.

"The panel, in my view, has produced a piece of work that will stand the test of time and scrutiny. Whilst not wishing to become a conducting rod for all the genuine and justified hurt and anguish, I would invite anyone to do the same as me and read the document and the papers online."

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, who lost her son James, 18, in the tragedy, said of Sir Norman Bettison's statement: "Quite frankly I am quite angry about it and I think he should resign.

"He should do the decent thing and resign, no matter what he is saying in his statement today. He is still saying the fans made the job more difficult for the police. He ought to be ashamed of himself. Do the decent thing Mr Bettison -resign."

 
Crohn's patients slam hospital food
Activists attack PM on gay marriage
One in 10 'fell asleep at wheel'
Miliband pledges tax crackdown
Faith leaders back assisted dying
Ukip hits new high in opinion poll
Tories bid to smooth 'loons' furore
Governor warning on housing package
Cameron 'losing control' of party
I won't step down, insists Assad
Several blasts rock Libyan cities
Boys held over teenage 'drug' death
Ukip hits opinion poll high of 19%
Building society raiders sought
Police name drug death teenager
Headteachers cross swords with Gove
Pool tragedy response criticised
Young women killed in car crash
Olympics star Ennis ties the knot
Rowling's Harry Potter book on sale
Top Top

Back Back

E-mail this article to a friend

Printable VersionPrintable version

 
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article
 


Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© owned by or licensed to Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited 2013.
icScotland™ is a trade mark of Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.

 
Advertisements
 
Jobs in Scotland: