Hillsborough families to sue police for £19 million after inquest ruling

South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police forces are the subject of legal action, following allegations of serious misconduct in the aftermath of the deaths of 96 people at the 1986 FA Cup semi-final.

An inquest jury ruled that the fans were unlawfully killed, and that fan behaviour played no part in the tragedy.

Approximately 400 people are suing the police. James Saunders, a lawyer who acts for the families, said: "We issued High Court Claims for Misfeasance in Public Office against South Yorkshire and West Midlands Police in 2015 on behalf of several hundred of those affected.

"The claims concern the cover up and actions intended to wrongly blame the deceased and LFC supporters for the tragedy, for which there has still been no proper admission or apology.

"Despite a half hearted admission after publication of the Hillsborough Independent Report, we now learn South Yorkshire Police spent £19million of taxpayers money on defending the indefensible at the inquest."

"In addition to the police wrongdoing that caused the deaths, there is evidence of the systematic cover up intended to transfer the blame for what happened from South Yorkshire Police to the innocent, by spreading lies, doctoring evidence, pressurising witnesses and suppressing the truth.

"The evidence points to abuse on an industrial scale by both South Yorkshire and West Midlands Police, beyond any "one bad apple" analysis.

"In addition to actions by individuals, the evidence suggests institutional misfeasance by these bodies directed against our clients and the fans generally."

There is one ongoing criminal investigation in to the deaths - Operation Resolve - and the Independent Police Complaints Commission is carrying out its own investigation. The CPS is expected to decide on whether to bring prosecutions by the end of the year.