Hillsborough Independent Panel findings and release of documents.

[brogdale]

IPCC says Bettison does have case to answer. Good.

 

[butchersapron]

I wish it did, what is says though is that he would have had a case to answer if still employed by the police. But he's not so he doesn't. That's it. He's got away with it again.

While it was evident Sir Norman made no attempt to prevent the referral happening, the IPCC investigation concluded that he attempted to manipulate the public perception of the referral process for his own self interest.

As a result the IPCC concluded Sir Norman had a case to answer for discreditable conduct and abuse of authority, breaches which, if proven in a disciplinary hearing, would amount to gross misconduct as they would justify dismissal.

However as Sir Norman left the police service in October 2012 he cannot face a disciplinary hearing in which the evidence could be tested. Instead the IPCC is publishing its findings for the public to judge.

"While we cannot bring this case to misconduct proceedings, we can publish the evidence and our conclusions, so that the public can judge for themselves. This case should also serve as a salutary reminder to chief officers everywhere of how much public confidence in policing is damaged when the conduct of leaders is called into question. "

Investigation here (pdf)

 

[cesare]

I suppose his pension is protected from sanctions

 

[butchersapron]

Yep - and guess who pays it. Liverpool taxpayers.

 

[cesare]

Yep - and guess who pays it. Liverpool taxpayers.

That is fucking shameful. And I notice from your above post that the IPCC are basically doing a Pontius Pilate on it and letting the "public decide". Well what if the public decide they want him prosecuted, eh.

 

[ymu]

Doesn't have to be serving to be done for misconduct in public office, does he? Is this down to the limits of the powers of the IPCC, or does it also include what the CPS could do him for if they felt so inclined?

 

[butchersapron]

Doesn't have to be serving to be done for misconduct in public office, does he? Is this down to the limits of the powers of the IPCC, or does it also include what the CPS could do him for if they felt so inclined?

The CPS have the option of misconduct in public office yes, can't see them bothering.

And just to clarify what this concerns - this is not regarding his actions in the aftermath of hillsborough, but his actions last year after the independent panel reported. The former investigation is ongoing. This one is about him interfering with his referal to the IPCC - and it doesn't find him guilty, the misconduct hearing would have to decide that (another reason the CPS is unlikely to act on this).

 

[ymu]

Thanks.

 

[butchersapron]

Thanks.

Another reason for not expecting CPS intervention in this case is that if the primary investigation into the actions of hundreds of coppers actions in the immediate aftermath comes back with similar conclusions as this one they would face pressure to take the same action against hundreds of coppers or ex-coppers at once. They are never going to do that.

 

[ymu]

Well, we have to make sure they have no option, I guess.

The arrests over Sean Rigg's death (well, inquest) give me a tiny bit of hope that they mght sacrifice a few of the most tainted lambs to try and restore public confidence.

Also, badly as many of them behaved, the primary pinnable responsibility is not on the grunts, it's on management.

 

[brogdale]

The CPS have the option of misconduct in public office yes, can't see them bothering.

And just to clarify what this concerns - this is not regarding his actions in the aftermath of hillsborough, but his actions last year after the independent panel reported. The former investigation is ongoing. This one is about him interfering with his referal to the IPCC - and it doesn't find him guilty, the misconduct hearing would have to decide that (another reason the CPS is unlikely to act on this).

Yes, sound clarification; thanks.

The IPCC report does however clearly show Bettison for the manipulative, scheming, self-serving masonic turd that he was; though I fully appreciate that does little to bring a sense of justice to the families. As one Lawyer for the campaign said on R5, this outcome is unsatisfactory in that a 'meal has been cooked that no-one can eat'.

 

[butchersapron]

Yes, sound clarification; thanks.

The IPCC report does however clearly show Bettison for the manipulative, scheming, self-serving masonic turd that he was; though I fully appreciate that does little to bring a sense of justice to the families. As one Lawyer for the campaign said on R5, this outcome is unsatisfactory in that a 'meal has been cooked that no-one can eat'.

Here's a list of other stuff that he's currently under investigation for - long list.

 

[butchersapron]

From that list:

Other startling revelations currently under investigation by uPSD and the Liverpool Echo include serious allegations concerning the propriety and accuracy of the CV presented to Merseyside Police Authority when Bettison applied for the post of Chief Constable. If proved, they could lead to MPA clawing back salary and benefits, including his pension.

 

[ymu]

Hadn't seen this before:

There is the remote possibility, of course, that the Johnson Mathey CCTV film might be found resting alongside the CCTV tapes that were mysteriously ‘stolen’ from the locked Police Control Room at Hillsborough stadium on the night of the disaster where 95 people had already died with hundreds more injured or severely traumatised. uPSD have now placed Bettison at the stadium between 1.00am and 4.30am on that night but no-one can actually acount for his movements or say what he was actually supposed to be doing there.

What other burglary, with an obvious suspect placed at the scene in the middle of the night, would not have resulted in prosecution? This is fucking ridiculous.

Send. Him. Down.

On the plus side, he would be a very cheap sacrifice given all the messes of their own making the police are dealing with at the mo.

 

[butchersapron]

Page 4 of the IPCC findings:

It is clear from the evidence provided by both Sir Norman and the Chief Executive of the Authority that, in fact, the Police Authority required Sir Norman to resign on 24 October 2012, and it was not Sir Norman’s wish to go at this time.

So we have the WYPA telling him he had to go to save their face if the IPCC found he should face misconduct charges? Looks like that that to me.

 

[ymu]

Here's a list of other stuff that he's currently under investigation for - long list.

Very long, and a shed load of mad stuff linked within. Thanks for that. And blimey.

 

[ymu]

Page 4 of the IPCC findings:



So we have the WYPA telling him he had to go to save their face if the IPCC found he should face misconduct charges? Looks like that that to me.

He may have been arrogant enough to think he could beat the charges, given the FTS debacle (in the article you linked). He seems to think he's untouchable. How he could have reached such a conclusion is, of course, a complete mystery.

 

[butchersapron]

It never ends - guess who is paying his legal fees, the west yorkshire taxpayer.

 

[butchersapron]

uPSD really got their teeth into Bettison now:

uPSD have, for some time, been interested in the credentials (Sir) Norman Bettison presented to Merseyside Police Authority when applying for the post of Chief Constable of Merseyside Police in September 1998. A redacted copy of the CV, plus a raft of other useful and connected documents, can be viewed on the stupendous Hillsborough Independent Panel website by clicking here (pdf).

The very first point that attracted our attention was the crucial fact that he made no mention of Hillsborough whatsoever on that CV and, indeed, commences his career history some six months later, in October 1989, as a Superintendent in the Traffic Division of the thoroughly discredited South Yorkshire Police. There is no mention, whatsoever, of the role Bettison played in the Wain “Black Ops” Unit or his role as Chief Constable Peter Wright’s eyes and ears at the Taylor Inquiry, and his close liaison with the legal team acting for SYP during those hearings.

Another signal moment for uPSD was when a whistleblower came forward, who was a colleague of Bettison’s after he joined the equally disgraced West Yorkshire Police force in May 1993, and provided the following information:

“You have uncovered a hornets nest by drawing attention to Norman Bettison’s application form for the Chief Constable of Merseyside. As many officers serving at the time will know, it is packed with outright lies and exaggerations. You must get this added to the investigation into his conduct by the IPCC. You must also get this cut and pasted on to the website and given wider circulation in the Yorkshire Post. There are dozens of people serving and retired who will say it is lie after lie. The man is an out and out liar, end to end. Whatever good he is supposed to have done, it is now clear that it is all built on lie after lie.

Loads - and i do mean loads - more at the link above.

 

[butchersapron]

Tmw:

Hillsborough: Never Forgotten
Wed Apr 3, 9-10pm, BBC2

Leading up to the first anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster since the Hillsborough Independent Review published it’s findings, Hillsborough - Never Forgotten describes the impact on the survivors and families of Hillsborough of living under the shadow of a lie for a generation.

In a poignant and thought-provoking film, survivors, relatives of the deceased and people who attended to the victims on the day describe what it’s like to live in a world pervaded by an ‘absence of truth’. Where instead of finding compassion, the victims of the disaster were held to be responsible for their own deaths and those grieving for them were derided for self-pity, a legacy they have lived with for 24 years.

The Bishop of Liverpool, The Right Rev James Jones, leader of the team that uncovered the truth, gives an extended inside account of the investigation and how he and colleagues pieced together their remarkable expose of deceit and deception. And the victims and their families describe the impact the new revelations have had on their lives.

 

[TruXta]

Thanks for the updates butchers. Feel ill reading some of this stuff.

 

[weepiper]

https://twitter.com/ScottTwigg1/status/319552541157384192

Bernard Ingham's reply to a letter of complaint, from 1996. The stepson of the complainant found the letter last weekend.

Utter, utter filth.

 

[TruXta]

I saw that on a LFC site. I was horrified.

Tanked up yobs
Reasonable people outside Merseyside
Uncomfortable truths

It's vile.

 

[cesare]

Fucking hell.

 

[treelover]

Tmw:

Hillsborough: Never Forgotten
Wed Apr 3, 9-10pm, BBC2

For some reason, I thought that was a repeat, will watch on Iplayer.

 

[ddraig]

wow! the front

 

[Fedayn]

Kelvin Mackenzie bumped from The Telegraph after 2 days.

 

[ymu]

Oh, very good. Well done Telegraph readers!

 

[newbie]

uPSD really got their teeth into Bettison now:





Loads - and i do mean loads - more at the link above.

that's a very impressive site. Only registered in December last, according to whois, but very well presented and with what appears to be top notch research. I'm slightly surprised they've not yet been sued, mind.

 

[butchersapron]

Nice one:

Norman Bettison stripped of Liverpool John Moores University fellowship

Former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison has been stripped of the honorary fellowship given to him by Liverpool John Moores University after a report into his role in the Hillsborough cover up.

Last month the Independent Police Complaints Commission found Mr Bettison has a case to answer for “discreditable conduct and abuse of authority” in the wake of last year’s Hillsborough revelations.

Also,

We are pleased to announce that the monument commissioned by HJC will be unveiled on Sunday in a ceremony organised in conjunction with Liverpool City council.

Not sure where yet...will edit in.