An independence problem afflicts the aftermath of the Hillsborough inquiry. I have just read a new book by Norman Bettison, Hillsborough Untold. Sir Norman, who much later became chief constable of Merseyside, was at Hillsborough, but only off-duty, as a football fan.
He was later accused, notably by the Labour MP Maria Eagle, exploiting parliamentary privilege, of orchestrating black propaganda for the police against the Hillsborough fans. He denies this. I have no idea of the truth, but Sir Norman’s point is that nor does any public authority.
Trevor Hicks of the Family Support Group said that Bettison should ‘scurry up a drainpipe’ and refused to meet him. For four years now, the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been investigating the South Yorkshire Police for alleged criminal conspiracy. It has never asked Sir Norman about the key allegation against him made by one John Barry which was used, by Ms Eagle and many others, to ruin him.
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