Hillsborough verdict as it happened: Relatives of the 96 cry 'hallelujah' at monumental verdict

Summary of today's events

The inquest has finished hearing the names of 95 of the 96 Hillsborough victims. Each was given a time and cause of death, ending what has been a 27-year wait for the families they left behind.

The fallout of today's verdict could continue for years. A reminder of the jury's key findings:

• The jury into the 96 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster concluded the victims were unlawfully killed.
• The jury also found the behaviour of fans on the day played no part in how the disaster unraveled.
• South Yorkshire Police were found to have failed in match preparation and reaction to events on the day.
• The ambulance service, safety of the stadium and Sheffield Wednesday staff were also criticised.

These verdicts raise the prospect of criminal cases. Labour MP Andy Burnham said that "prosecutions must follow", while the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it would be looking into whether criminal charges should be brought against individuals or corporate bodies.

This could include former officers of South Yorkshire Police. Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, David Crompton, said today his force accepts the verdict "unequivocally", and apologised to the victims' families.

But while he'll be hoping to put the matter behind him and restore trust in his officers, there have already been calls for the entire force to be disbanded.

Labour MP John Mann reacted to today's verdict by saying South Yorkshire Police force should be "closed down and reconfigured". He suggested the reputational damage had been so severe, the force would need to consider merging or being replaced.

Former football players and managers, as well as politicians, have been providing their reaction to the day's events, often under the slogan: "Justice for the 96." This include PM David Cameron and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Today's verdict was also cheered as a victory of sorts by the victims' families.

The sentiment felt by some of the families themselves was summed up by Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) chairman Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son died in the disaster.

Standing outside the court this morning, she said: "The fans should all go home and be proud of themselves, they are heroes. They did nothing wrong that day and we did this for all of them. Our city always gets brought down but yet again it's the tough people of Liverpool who had to fight a cause that was so unjust, so unfair. We've done it and we've won it and I'm proud of every single one of them."

South Yorkshire Police apologises

The fall-out of today's verdict is likely to continue for months, perhaps even years. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said this morning it would be looking into whether criminal charges should be brought against individuals or corporate body.

This could include former officers of South Yorkshire Police, after the jury responded with a "Yes" verdict to several questions which criticised its officers conduct.

Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, David Crompton, has said his force accepts "unequivocally" the verdict of unlawful, giving this statement:

A list of which questions saw a "Yes" verdict from the jury can be seen here:

Hillsborough disaster: The 13 questions jury answered 'yes' to while reaching unlawfully killed verdict

Reaction from former Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez.

He said: "After so many years fighting for justice I am really pleased to see the verdict today, which confirms what we have been saying for a long time. I am especially pleased for the families of the 96 who have sought justice for so long and with such dignity, as well as for the people of Liverpool and for football fans in general.

"Hopefully this verdict today will ensure that this kind of tragedy can never happen again."

The clock at Liverpool Town Hall has been set to 3.06 today. It marks the moment the Hillsborough match was abandoned as the tragedy unfurled.

Engineering company Eastwood and Partners has responded to the verdict given on Question 12, in which the jury said the firm should have "done more to detect and advise on any unsafe or unsatisfactory features of Hillsborough stadium".

A statement issued by the firm said: "We fully respect the inquest's findings and will study them carefully. We have fully supported and followed the inquest and all inquiries from the outset.

"We would like to say sorry on behalf of the company at that time and to add our deepest sympathies to all those affected by this tragedy. We would also like to add that we are a very different company today and there is no-one here who has any first-hand knowledge of the stadium design decisions concerning Hillsborough in the 1980s.

This was a terrible, tragic incident that will never be forgotten and out of the disaster there has come a legacy of improved stadium safety throughout the country."

As more former Liverpool players react to the verdict, here's a reminder of how the families responded outside the court this morning.

John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, says the credibility of South Yorkshire Police has been so badly damaged, it should be "closed down and reconfigured".

He said: "Nobody should pre-judge ongoing inquiries into the police, but whatever conclusions they reach, the credibility of the institution of South Yorkshire Police has been irreparably damaged.

"It needs a new identity and more importantly a new ethos and ethics. South Yorkshire police should be disbanded.

"There are many hardworking police officers and staff currently working for South Yorkshire Police who have joined in recent years and they deserve a fresh start. There are two clear options to bring this about – either by creating a police force based on Sheffield City Region or a merger with West Yorkshire Police."

Borussia Dortmund, the former club of current Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp, has tweeted a tribute to the Hillsborough families.

The two teams played a match on the eve of the 27th anniversary of the disaster, with fans singing an emotionally-charged rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.

Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) chairman Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son died in the disaster, says

It's been 27 years. To get a clean sweep, 14-nil – nothing can beat it. It wasn't just about the 96 who died, this was about all of the families, the fans and the survivors. This was getting a clean sweep and clearing their names as well. I want them 96 to rest in peace.

"The fans should all go home and be proud of themselves, they are heroes. They did nothing wrong that day and we did this for all of them. Our city always gets brought down but yet again it's the tough people of Liverpool who had to fight a cause that was so unjust, so unfair. We've done it and we've won it and I'm proud of every single one of them."

More former Liverpool FC players give their reaction:

Reaction from Jim Beglin, former Liverpool FC player (1983 to 1989).

Maria Eagle, MP for Garston and Halewood, says she has been working with the victims' families since the 1990s when, as a junior solicitor, the firm she worked for was involved in the civil litigation on behalf of the Hillsborough families.

She gives her reaction on today's verdict:

"My thoughts today are with the families of the 96 people who died and the survivors who witnessed such carnage more than 27 years ago. They have had to face a terrible ordeal over such an extended period of time that their ongoing trauma can only be guessed at.

"At every stage, they have had to defend the reputations of the dead against gross lies and distortions by those responsible for the disaster. South Yorkshire Police bear a particular responsibility for this.

"As someone who has fought alongside the families for justice since I was elected to Parliament in 1997, I am glad that this ordeal has come closer to being over with the delivery of the inquest verdicts today.

"Further legal proceedings may now result and I look forward to the CPS considering these findings. At the outset of these new inquests, we were all cautiously optimistic that a verdict of unlawful killing would be reached. It is a huge victory for the families in their campaign for justice for the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives tragically on that day that a verdict of unlawful killing was returned today.

"It is also a complete vindication of the families and the survivors of the disaster that the jury unanimously agreed that the behaviour of fans did not cause or contribute to the situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles.

"Lord Justice Taylor came to this conclusion within months of the disaster. We have to ask as a society how it has been left to the families to conduct this campaign over 27 years to clear the names and defend the reputations of those who died and survived the trauma."

The jury has read its verdict concerning the youngest person to die – 10-year-old Jon-Paul Gilhooley. He was found to have died from compression asphyxia.

The jury is sitting in court again to finish their role in deciding the time and cause of death for each of the 96 Hillsborough victims. The causes of death are all linked to crushing (compression asphyxia).

The jury's "No" verdict on whether football fans were to blame for how the Hillsborough disaster unraveled is part-vindication for those who have long claimed the authorities were instrumental in a cover up.

In 2012, the Hillsborough Independent Panel's (HIP) report showed how South Yorkshire Police altered witness statements after the disaster in "strenuous attempts" to put the blame on Liverpool fans.

But another IBTimes UK piece in 2012 showed how questions for South Yorkshire Police went beyond the Hillsborough disaster. Campaigners and lawyers for the victims' families alleged officers may have been guilty of "similar misdemeanours" when police were involved in 1984-5 clashes with striking miners at Orgreave.

Read the full account here:

Hillsborough Report: 'Cover-up was Thatcher's Thank You for South Yorkshire Police Role in Miners' Strike'

Former Liverpool FC player John Aldridge gives his reaction to the verdict, saying: "The truth is out at last."

Read his eye-witness account of the Hillsborough disaster in our piece here:

Hillsborough disaster anniversary: Liverpool hero John Aldridge recalls Leppings Lane horror

Prime Minister David Cameron has given his reaction to the jury's verdict, describing the inquest as "long overdue justice".

The Sun has received a torrent of online abuse after tweeting its report concerning today's Hillsborough inquest verdict. The tabloid controversially claimed Liverpool fans pick-pocketed and urinated on the dead, and attacked police attempting to give the kiss of life.

The claims later turned out to be false. The tabloid apologised in 2012 for its coverage at the time.

Its apology did not stop this banner being unfurled outside the court this morning.

CPS to consider criminal charges

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says it will consider whether any criminal charges should be brought following today's verdict.

Sue Hemming, Head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division at the CPS said: "Following the inquest's determinations the CPS team will continue to work closely with Operation Resolve and the IPCC as in due course, the CPS will formally consider whether any criminal charges should be brought against any individual or corporate body based upon all the available evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"We would ask that everyone is mindful of the continuing investigations and the potential for future criminal proceedings when reporting or publicly commenting on the inquest's conclusions."

IPCC Deputy Chair, Rachel Cerfontyne, said: "The conclusion of the inquests is another milestone and a day when my thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died as a result of the disaster.

"Now the inquests have ended our role in providing documents and other material to support the Coroner is over. However the end of the inquests does not mark the end of the process.Our attention now focuses on concluding our criminal investigation into the aftermath of the disaster. This is by far the biggest and most complex investigation ever undertaken by the IPCC.

"We have made significant progress on the investigation and we will continue to work closely with Operation Resolve and the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue our remaining lines of enquiry as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. I anticipate we will conclude the criminal investigations by the turn of the year."

A full report of today's verdict can be seen here:

Hillsborough inquest: Jury rules 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed in tragedy 27 years ago

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have said they will now work closely with the Independent Police Complaints Commission to consider whether any criminal charges should be brought against any individual or corporate body in response to the verdicts and will make a decision by the end of the year.

Families sing You'll Never Walk Alone outside the court.

The first pictures have emerged showing the reaction of the victims' families to the verdict. Some were seen breaking down in tears as others cheered outside the court.

Steve Rotheram, MP for Liverpool Walton, adds his reaction to the verdict:

"I have waited 27 years for this moment. But I know it comes too late for many. I was there on the day and saw the horror unfold before my very eyes.

"Before we'd even buried our dead, the hurt of loss was compounded by the lies and smears. I remember picking up a newspaper and feeling sick to the pit of my stomach. They inflicted terrible pain on a city at its moment of maximum grief.

"I've seen how friends have suffered. This is a momentous day but they should never have had to wait so long. The truth is out there for all to see. Justice has been served by the verdicts and now it is about accountability."

Gary Lineker tweets his reaction to the jury's verdict:

Andy Burnham, the Labour MP who had long campaigned for an inquiry into the disaster, gives his reaction:

"This has been the greatest miscarriage of justice of our times. But, finally, it is over. After 27 long years, this is real justice for the 96, their families and all Liverpool supporters. The survivors of this tragedy can finally be remembered for what they were on that day - the heroes of Hillsborough who tried to help their fellow fans.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel gave us the truth. This Inquest has delivered justice. Next must come accountability. For 27 years, this police force has consistently put protecting itself above protecting those hurt by the horror of Hillsborough. People must be held to account for their actions and prosecutions must now follow.

Disgracefully, lawyers for retired police have attempted to continue the cover-up in this courtroom. They made it an adversarial battle in defiance of the Lord Chief Justice's ruling. This has been brutal on the Hillsborough families and put them through hell once again. The current leadership of South Yorkshire Police needs to explain why it went back on its 2012 apology at this Inquest, prolonging the agony for the families.

The sense of relief we feel is tempered by the knowledge that this day has taken far too long in coming. The struggle for justice has taken too great a toll on too many. But the Hillsborough families have at long last prevailed and finally their loved-ones can rest in peace."

Victims families were heard cheering and seen breaking down in tears as the jury delivered their verdicts to the 14 questions concerning the Hillsborough disaster.

Two key questions saw the jury decide fans were not to blame for the events that unfolded on the day, and that the victims had been unlawfully killed.

Question 14 - Ambulance response

After the crush in the west terrace had begun to develop, was there any error or omission by Symas which caused or contributed to the loss of lives in the disaster?

Answer: Yes.

Question 13 - South Yorkshire Police

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?

Answer: Yes

Question 12 - engineers

Should Eastwood & Partners [the club's consultant engineers] have done more to detect and advise on any unsafe or unsatisfactory features of Hillsborough stadium which caused or contributed to the disaster?

Answer: Yes.

Question 11 - Conduct of Sheffield Wednesday FC

Another "Yes" verdict for a question concerning the conduct of Sheffield Wednesday FC.

Was there any error or omission by Sheffield Wednesday FC (and its staff) on 15 April, 1989 which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed on the day of the match?

Question 10 - conduct of Sheffield Wednesday FC

The jury delivers a "Yes" verdict to the conduct of Sheffield Wednesday FC and its staff.

Was there any error or omission by Sheffield Wednesday FC (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 that developed on the day of the match?

Question 9

Jury verdict: "Yes"

Was there any error or omission in the safety certification and oversight of Hillsborough stadium that caused or contributed to the disaster?

Question 8 - safety of Hillsborough Stadium

A "Yes" jury verdict on stadium safety.

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?

Question 7 - fans not to blame

The jury delivered a unanimous "No" verdict to this question:

Was there any behaviour on the part of football supporters which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?

Jury says Hillsborough victims were unlawfully killed

Question six – seen as the key question for the jury – saw a majority decision rather than unanimous. A "Yes" verdict was delivered to the following question:

Are you satisfied, so that you are sure, that those who died in the disaster were unlawfully killed?

Fifth answer given by jury

Another question concerning the error or ommission by commanding officers. The jury delivered another "Yes" to question five.

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?

Fourth answer given by jury

Question 4 decides whether there were any errors or ommission by commanding officers. The jury delivered another "Yes" verdict.

Was there any error or omission by commanding officers which caused or contributed to the crush on the terrace?

Third answer given by jury

Question 3, asking whether there were police errors on the day, receives another "Yes".

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?

Second answer given by jury

Question 2 also received a "Yes" verdict:

Was there any error or omission in the police planning and 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?

First answer given by jury

The first verdict into the 14 questions have come through from the inquest. The jury said "Yes" to Question 1:

Do you agree with the following statement which is intended to summarise the basic facts of the disaster? "On 15 April, 1989, 96 people died in the disaster at Hillsborough stadium as a result of 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."

'Lies' and 'cover-up' have often been the words victims' families used to describe the investigation into the Hillsborough disaster. The trust with the police, whose actions on that day will be decided upon on by the jury this morning, had reached such a low point even Freemasons were banned from taking part in the independent police inquiry.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) claimed that the move was to make sure the investigation was not biased by the fact that a senior officer who allegedly helped shift the blame from the police over the tragedy was a senior freemason.

Our piece here explains more.

The shocking manner in which the day's events unfurled were told by former Liverpool FC player John Aldridge in an IBTimes UK interview. "We had to go to funerals, which was very hard," Aldridge recalls. "I think I went to 11 or 12 funerals. Sisters, brothers, a dad and son amongst them."

Read his full account here.

Aldridge recalls: "We got to the ground as normal, an hour and a quarter before kick-off or thereabouts, and there was no sign of trouble. It was just normal everyday procedure. Even when we warmed up, there was no trouble whatsoever.

"When the match kicked off it was end-to-end. We didn't have a clue, we were just focused on the pitch, we didn't hear anything at all. There was no particular sound coming from the crowd, not that I could tell, none of the players remarked on it during the game.

"Then the fans started spilling onto the pitch, and the referee told us to come off. We assumed a crush barrier had crashed – in those days that sort of thing happened quite a lot.

"Then, after 20-25 minutes, Kenny went out to speak to [then-Forest manager] Brian Clough and the referee, and when he came back he told us 'get changed lads, we're leaving. There's been fatalities.' Around this time supporters began coming into our dressing room and gathering in the tunnel outside, telling us of the deaths.

"As a player, I had tickets for the stand, so my family wasn't on the Leppings Lane terrace, I knew they were safe. But still it was a shock, a total blur."

The jury is expected to deliver its verdict into the Hillsborough disaster at 11am. Their decision represents a 27-year wait for the families of the 96 men, women and children killed.

The inquest is sitting at Warrington in Cheshire and headed by coroner Sir John Goldring. All but one of the 14 will be unanimous. A final question, of whether the victims were unlawfully killed by gross negligence manslaughter, will be delivered by majority verdict.