Hillsborough match commander faces 95 charges of manslaughter

Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield, as well as five other senior figures, will be prosecuted the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

The disaster saw 96 fans fatally injured in a crush at the Hillsborough stadium. New inquests last year found that the fans had been unlawfully killed.

Former South Yorkshire Police Ch Insp Norman Bettison, as well as two officers, a solicitor and a club secretary for Sheffield Wednesday also face charges.

The CPS must now make an application to the High Court to lift an order imposed following a private prosecution made against Mr Duckenfield in 1999.

Sue Hemming, head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division at the CPS, said: “Following our careful review of the evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge six individuals with criminal offences.

“Criminal proceedings have now commenced and the defendants have a right to a fair trial.”