Date of Hillsborough inquests announced

A new inquest into the deaths of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster will take place in “early 2014”, a pre-inquest hearing was told.

Families of those killed in the Hillsborough disaster are attending a new inquest. Picture: AFP

Lord Justice Goldring said he would not wait for the outcomes of two separate investigations before holding the fresh inquest into the disaster on April 15, 1989, during Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

He also said he would say where the inquest would be held next week, after hearing passionate submissions in favour of holding the inquiry in either London or the North West.

The hearing adjourned for the judge to fix a date.

Outside, Barry Devonside, 66, whose son Christopher, 18, died at Hillsborough gave his reaction.

Mr Devonside, a member of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign said he hopes Lord Justice Goldring decides to hold the inquest in the North West.

He said: “I’m pleased that the judge will be announcing the venue next week and am pleased the inquest will commence in early 2014, possibly January if there’s no slippage.

“The location is a difficult issue.

“Both QCs, Pete Wetherby for us and Mike Mansfield for the support group, made good representations.

“But without me giving an unbalanced view, I spent 80 days in Sheffield at the first inquest and it’s very very difficult.

“Travelling to the capital every day for up to nine months could be horrendous.”

Mr Devonside said he was worried about police officers refusing to co-operate with the inquest for fear of self-incrimination.

“That happened last time and it is a danger it is going to happen again.

“It is something we cannot get around.”