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Hillsborough files reveal tampering of victim remains

Comment: 0 November 23rd, 2011 by: admin

RECENT developments from the Hillsborough tragedy investigation have revealed that the bodies of a number of victims of the human crush at Sheffield in 1989 were secretly tampered with.

According to the reports, body tissue from vital organs of no less than 10 victims were removed and then stored without the authorisation of their respective families.

The details on the procedures were revealed from the examination of formerly-secret documents that are now under review by an investigation panel.

Upon discovery of the tampering, the Hillsborough Independent Panel immediately notified the victims’ families via hand-delivered letters.  This was done even before the scheduled public release of the full investigation report.

The revelation garnered much anger and criticism both from the families of the victims, and the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.

Spokespersons from both the HJC and the Hillsborough Family Support Group lambasted the procedure, labelling it as proof of secrecy and lack of common sense.

‘This proves things are being kept from the families and have been for 22 years,’ said Sheila Coleman of the HJC.

Mirror Football also quoted Margaret Aspinall of the HFSG.

‘Surely it’s common sense that [the families of the victims] should have been told about this before now,’ she said.  ‘The next thing is to find out what these tissue samples are, because nobody sems to know at the moment.’

More aggressive comments were received from Liverpool council leader Joe Anderson.

‘Victims were interfered without the permission of their families.  I think people will want to know who was responsible and will want them sacked if they are still in a job,’ he furiously said.

The tissues were taken post-mortem in order to assist the investigation of victims who did not show any signs of crushing or massive force, which was what caused most of the deaths during the tragic human crush.

However, the removal of the tissues without permission from the families goes against the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Responding to the reports, the HIP made a public statement of apology, assuring that the matter will be dealt with properly.

‘I am sorry this additional distress has been caused to some of the Hillsborough families who have suffered greatly,’ said panel chairman, the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev. James Jones.

‘The panel believes that it is right that affected families should have the chance to find out about this now.’

The Hillsborough tragedy occurred during an FA Cup semifinal match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.  The incident resulted in 96 deaths.

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