Hillsborough disaster: Investigation by watchdog was 'most complex ever carried out'
THE investigation into the Hillsborough disaster cover-ups was "by a long way" the biggest and most complex ever carried out by the police watchdog, it was revealed yesterday.
An inquest by the IPCC ruled 96 people were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said 220 investigators had looked at whether offences such as conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, perjury and misconduct in a public office had been committed.
Their investigation has focused on allegations of a conspiracy within South Yorkshire Police to deflect blame on to Liverpool fans - as outlined in the 2012 Hillsborough Independent Panel report.
The IPCC looked at more than 10,000 aspects of the Hillsborough case
Sun journalists asked to leave Hillsborough press conference
More than 400 statements were taken from police officers during the inquest
The IPCC looked at 10,000 aspects of the case, took more than 4,000 statements and conducted 1,200 interviews.
Our aim was to conduct a thorough, robust investigation and to do all in our power to get to the truth
More than 400 statements were taken from police officers, 120 were given by journalists and 20 by local politicians.
IPCC deputy chairwoman Rachel Cerfontyne said: "Our aim was to conduct a thorough, robust investigation and to do all in our power to get to the truth."
Lord Justice Goldring presided over the new inquests as coroner.
The inquest ruled that 96 people were unlawfully killed on the day of the disaster.