96 Hillsborough fans unlawfully killed, inquests conclude
The jury had to answer 14 questions about the cause of the 1989 disaster
Jurors answered "yes" when asked whether any police error caused or contributed to a dangerous situation
The behaviour of Liverpool fans did not contribute to the dangerous situation at the turnstiles
South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable David Crompton apologises "unreservedly" to the families and says his force accepts jury's conclusion
The public gallery are applauding the jury as they leave court - some families stand up to clap them out.
Image source, PA"God bless the jury" was heard from one mother.
Margaret Aspinall and Trevor Hicks - two leading campaigners - seen hugging each other in tears.
Ben Schofield
Hillsborough reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside
David Duckenfield’s lawyer seen in court carefully noting jury’s conclusions. Propping up his head with one hand.
After the crush in the west terrace had begun to develop, was there any error or omission by the ambulance service (SYMAS) which caused or contributed to the loss of lives in the disaster? Yes or no.
Yes. SYMAS failed to ascertain the nature of the problem at Leppings Lane. The failure to recognise and call a major incident led to delays in response to the emergency.
After the crush in the West Terrace had begun to develop, was there any error or omission by the police which caused or contributed to the loss of lives in the disaster? Yes or no.
Yes. Police delayed to call major incident - it meant appropriate emergency response was delayed.
Should Eastwood & Partners have done more to detect and advise on any unsafe or unsatisfactory features of the stadium which caused or contributed to the disaster? Yes or no.
Yes. Eastwood & Partners, the club’s consultant engineers, did not make their own calculations when they became consultants for the club. Therefore the initial capacity figures and all subsequent calculations were incorrect.
Eastwood & Partners failed to recalculate capacity figures each time changes were made to the terraces. It failed to update the safety certificate after 1986.
Was there any error or omission by SWFC and its staff on 15 April 1989 which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed at the Leppings Lane turnstiles and in the west terrace? Yes or no.
No.
Was there any error or omission by SWFC and its staff on 15 April 1989 which may have caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed at the Leppings Lane turnstiles and in the west terrace? Yes or no.
Yes. Club officials were aware a huge number of fans were still outside the ground at 14.40 and should have requested a delay in kick-off.
Was there any error or omission by SWFC and its staff in the management of the stadium and/or preparation for the semi final match on 15 April 1989 which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation which developed on the day of the match? Yes or no.
Yes - The club did not approve the plans for dedicated turnstiles for each pen. The club did not agree any contingency plans with the police. There was inadequate signage and inadequate and misleading information on the tickets.
Was there any error or omission in the safety certification and oversight of Hillsborough Stadium that caused or contributed to the disaster? Yes or no.
Yes. The safety certificate was never amended to reflect changes to the Leppings Lane end of the stadium.
There were loud cheers in court. Clapping. Shouts of "Yes!" and "Halleluja". Families hugging each other and punching the air
Were there any features of the design, construction and layout of the stadium which you consider were dangerous or defective and which caused or contributed to the disaster? Yes or no.
Yes
Image source, Hillsborough InquestsDesign and layout of the crush barriers in pens 3 and 4 were not fully compliant with the Green Guide. The removal of barrier 144 and the partial removal of barrier 136 would have exacerbated the waterfall effect of pressure towards the front of the pens. The lack of dedicated turnstiles for individual pens meant that capacities could not be monitored. There were too few turnstiles for a capacity crowd. Signage to the side pens was inadequate.
Was there any behaviour on the part of the football supporters which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles? Yes or no.
No.
Was there any behaviour on the part of the football supporters which may have caused or contributed to the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles? Yes or no.
No.
Another cheer in court. ‘Thanks’ comes from the public gallery and sighs of relief are audible.
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Are you satisfied, so that you are sure, that those who died in the disaster were unlawfully killed? Yes or no.
Yes
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? Yes or no.
Yes. Commanding officers did not inform officers in the inner concourse prior to the opening of Gate C. Commanding Officers failed to consider where fans would go and failed to order the closure of the central tunnel prior to the opening of Gate C.
Was there any error or omission by commanding officers which caused or contributed to the crush on the terrace? Yes or no.
Yes. Commanding officers should have ordered the closure of the central tunnel.
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? Yes or no.
Yes. The jury finds the police response to the increasing crowd at Leppings Lane was slow and uncoordinated. It feels the road closure and sweep of fans exacerbated the situation. No filter cordons were place and no contingency plans were made for the sudden arrival of a large number of fans.
The jury feels that attempts to close the perimeter gates were made too late.
Image source, Hillsborough InquestsWas there any error or omission in police planning or 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? Yes or no
Yes. The jury feels there were major omissions in 1989 operational order.
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.”
Yes.
Andy Gill
Reporter, BBC North West Tonight
The usher is saying court will begin in a few moments and warns for mobiles to be switched off.
Court is now much quieter.
