Originally Posted by Eater Sundae:
“What makes you think that I don't think it is serious? I think it is very serious.
I actually believe that the performance of the police commander on the day was down to him being out of his depth and panicking when put under pressure. And that he acted in good faith based upon how he honestly thought events were unfolding. His decision to open the gates was made, in my opinion, because at the time he thought it was the lesser of two evils and was to be preferred to what he perceived to be a risk of crushingnoutside. As such, I'm inclined to the view that he is being judged by public opinion with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. I realise that the current review sees things differently, but I'm just putting my take. I think a good look should be taken at those senior to him who put him into a position where he was out of his depth.
I think a lot of leeway should be given when someone fails because he made the wrong decision when under pressure, especially when put into a position where he was out of his depth. The result of his actions was incredibly serious, but his actions may have been understandable in the situation he found himself.
Moving on to any subsequent cover up. These are thought through decisions. As such, if cover ups and attempts to pervert the course of justice are subsequently proven in a criminal trial, then I can actually see this as resulting in much longer prison sentences than for, say, manslaughter. Although 96 were killed, due to inadequate performance, it was close to being an "accident", IMO. (I'm realise it wasn't an accident, but neither was it in any way malicious, it was down to incompetence.). However, any cover up would be malicious and as such very very serious.
My point has been that I think the deaths and any cover up should be treated separately. That doesn't means that I think a cover up is not important, in fact just the opposite. If it is proven, at any level, but the higher up the chain of command is more serious, then I think it should result in very serious jail time for the senior officers. Less so for the underlings, eg any forced to doctor their evidence, as it's difficult to know what pressure they were under.”
Hi Easter,
Yours is such a good post, not a word of it I disagree with.
It should be remembered, ( I'm sure it is ), along with the fans, there were some brave, ambulance and police officers on that pitch doing their best.
No one set out to kill 96 people that fateful day and injure 760 odd others no one.
It's a tragedy that could have been avoided or at least there could have been more survivors and less injured.
What happened, well as DP says, it couldn't happen now, you had a Commander completely out of his depth,--not a clue, if not forgivable, it can be reasoned.
But the lies, the blackening in its aftermath, no excuse.
I can only hope prosecutions---successful ones will follow--but I'm not so sure.
And maybe those that do should also stop buying the Sun.