Dr Billings Responds to Hillsborough Report by Bishop James Jones

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, commented: “I welcome both the report and the fact that South Yorkshire Police, the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs Council have each accepted it and the recommendations.

“In particular, I welcome the Bishop’s emphasis on the need for a legal duty of candour by all public bodies.

“The Labour Party is already committed to support a Hillsborough Law which would give bereaved families the right to legal representation – something the Hillsborough families never had – and I welcome that.

“It has been five years since the report was published and ongoing legal processes have prevented public comment. This must feel like yet another delay in the quest for justice for the families. However, I would like to reassure them that during that time progress has been made in responding to the Bishop’s report in South Yorkshire.

“The force is committed to delivering the learning points and I will continue to seek assurance that the recommendations are being implemented.

“I want to see an absolute end to what the Bishop summed up as ‘the patronising disposition of unaccountable power’.”