Hillsborough rescuer tells how police superiors forced her to lie about boy's death

[Maldini]

Hillsborough rescuer tells how police superiors forced her to lie about boy's death

EXCLUSIVE by Kate Mansey 25/04/2009

 

Kevin died in my arms at 3.55. My police bosses made me lie it was 3.15

 

 

 

A Hillsborough policewoman has become the first officer to admit she was bullied into changing her statement in a huge police cover-up.

 

Special Constable Debra Martin made a statement telling how a Liverpool fan of 15 died in her arms at 3.55pm on the day of the tragedy, which claimed 96 lives.

 

But officers branded her a "liar" and forced her to change the time in her account to 3.15pm – to hide the fact he could have been saved.

 

Crucially, police have always claimed victims of the disaster died almost instantly in the crush that forced the FA Cup game's end at 3.06pm.

 

They used that as the excuse for allowing only one of 45 ambulances on to the pitch to help victims. And the coroner Dr Stefan Popper brought in a "cut-off" point, ruling that all the victims were dead by 3.15pm.

 

But today Debra tells how at least one of the victims – teenager Kevin Williams – was still alive 40 minutes later. She said she gave Kevin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and remembers how he looked up at her just before he died and murmured the word "Mum".

 

Debra, 45, is the first member of South Yorkshire Police to go public with her revelations about cover-ups – and her evidence could prove vital in a new inquiry.

 

 

 

She told the Sunday Mirror: "The whole thing made me feel angry. These families deserve the truth after all these years."

 

The dental nurse is believed to be among at least 12 officers ordered to change their initial statements.

 

She tells how she had four visits from senior officers who pressurised her into changing her statement. She also got hate mail at work.

 

 

Debra was in the Leppings Lane End when the crush began on April 15, 1989.

 

"It was bedlam," she says. "There were injured, dying and dead people everywhere."

 

One of those fighting for life was Liverpool fan Kevin Williams. Debra says: "Kevin was struggling to breathe. I gave him CPR (mouth-to-mouth). I'll never forget his little face looking straight into mine. He uttered the word 'Mum' – it was his last and he died in my arms." Debra became a problem for the police because her account didn't tally with the official line. And soon a terrifying operation began to silence her.

 

Debra says: "We were all told not to talk to the Press, then a female officer and a man knocked at my door.

 

"The WPC told me my statement was wrong and she was there to change it as it was inconsistent with what had happened."

 

Debra was determined not to alter her statement. "But when they came back a second and a third time, they were more insistent," she says.

 

"The WPC said, 'You're a liar. We don't even know if you were there. It's probably all in your imagination'. I couldn't believe it. Then I began getting hate mail at the police station.

 

"The final time the WPC hounded me at my house, they were adamant I had to change the time Kevin died. She put a new statement I hadn't written under my nose – I couldn't take it any more, so I signed it." Debra's revelations come as the Government prepares to make public all official documents relating to the disaster at Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest.

 

Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, Meredydd Hughes, said last week: "If I thought there was a cover-up, I'd already have dealt with it."

 

But Debra remains distraught at the way families such as Kevin's were denied the truth. She said: "Every year, the nightmares of what happened that day come back to the families. They have got to be told the truth – only then will those nightmares finally end."

 

Last night Kevin's mother Anne, 57, said: "I've been screaming for 20 years that my son could have been saved – he wasn't dead at 3.15pm. The police just covered it all up."

[Jim D]

Kudos to Debra Martin for coming out about this, fingers crossed it will encourage other Police Officers to give their stories about a possible cover up on that fateful day in 1989.

[Nebraska Red]

when you read about things like this , it just makes you want to weep.

 

why all the lies and deception?

[lfc4eva99]

Hope this helps others step up, or atleast helps his Mum to get the justice from the courts....

[blago]

Fair play to her for coming forward. Hopefully it will be instrumental bringing about a new enquiry.

[kop205]

This story has been public knowledge for a few years I think hasn't it? Pretty sure this was a big part of Ann Williams' attempts to get justice through the European Courts and stuff so sadly I'm not sure there is anything 'new' here - it is just being given more exposure (though maybe that in itself could help and I'm not sure she has gone into quite so much detail about the pressure she was put under to change her statement).

 

The problem with the 3:15 cut-off point isn't that the coroner said everybody was dead by then. He said that they were basically beyond saving by then in that the injuries they had sustained by that point were not treatable which - although we all know is b******s and was simply put in there as a time of convenience to avoid them having to face up to their inept response - is much harder to disprove I would imagine.

[Falconhoof]

Even if this is 'old news' and might not help move forward an enquiry it might help to do two things;

1. Encourage more police and witnesses to come forward.

2. Serve as a check to those who perpetuate the lies about the fans. It might make some people pay attention to the truth if its a police officer saying it rather than a bunch of fans.

 

I remember seeing a WPC infront of the leppings lane, tending to a young lad lying on the grass. Maybe it was Kate Mansey, there can't have been too many WPCs there, right on the scene. I remember her because she seemed to be the only one showing any urgency out of the police that I saw. She tried to resuscitate this lad but in the end they put a coat or a tracksuit top over his face.

I can barely remember any detail of the day to be honest, I must have blocked it out and would be a terrible witness if i'd actually seen anything crucial to the inquiries.

[kop205]

Even if this is 'old news' and might not help move forward an enquiry it might help to do two things;

1. Encourage more police and witnesses to come forward.

2. Serve as a check to those who perpetuate the lies about the fans. It might make some people pay attention to the truth if its a police officer saying it rather than a bunch of fans.

 

Oh I agree. Apologies if I cam across as being dismissive of the article, I wasn't meaning to be. Hopefully this may serve to set the ball rolling a bit more.

[Falconhoof]

Oh I agree. Apologies if I cam across as being dismissive of the article, I wasn't meaning to be. Hopefully this may serve to set the ball rolling a bit more.

 

No need to apologise there, you weren't being dismissive at all. I was just trying to expand on the valid points you raised.

[allez les rouges]

This story has been public knowledge for a few years I think hasn't it? Pretty sure this was a big part of Ann Williams' attempts to get justice through the European Courts and stuff so sadly I'm not sure there is anything 'new' here - it is just being given more exposure (though maybe that in itself could help and I'm not sure she has gone into quite so much detail about the pressure she was put under to change her statement).

yes it has unfortunately so its not a new revelation. Even with this evidence that has been available, it hasnt assisted. which is simply incredible.

Edited April 26, 2009 by allezlesrouge

[Redray]

The 3.15 “cut off” period, of itself, is not sustainable in law. There is no tangible evidence that could possibly justify this arbitrary point in time.

 

The evidence clearly suggests that a multitude of deaths occurred (both occasioned and retrievable) after this point.

 

The notion of injuries sustained during this allowed window occasioning fatalities at a later point is similarly without credence due to the Medico-legal evidence that plainly suggests otherwise.

 

s*** hitting fan is starting

 

Justice is coming.

 

YNWA

 

RIP96

[R A Softlad]

About f**king time. Hang em out to dry! JFT96!

[GWistooshort]

From the Daily Mirror...........

 

Hillsborough disaster cover-up: We discover Hillsborough statements censored by senior police officers - Exclusive

By Paul Byrne 7/05/2009

 

The Mirror today reveals more damning evidence of how police accounts were altered after the Hillsborough disaster to remove criticism from senior officers.

 

We have been given access to hundreds of statements from police on duty at the 1989 Liverpool-Nottingham Forest match which left 96 dead.

 

Click here to view PDF file of Hillsborough statements censored by senior officers

 

Last week it was revealed how junior officers had testimonies changed by their superiors before they were presented to the official inquiry.

 

Now 14 dusty boxes kept in the House of Commons library since 1998 reveal more possible cover-ups.

 

We found glaring examples of statements altered to remove any criticism of South Yorkshire police on the fateful day at the Sheffield stadium.

 

One from PC Stuart Finnerty has large sections crossed out and a cover sheet by a senior officer raises five concerns. They include the use of his phrase “headless chickens” to refer to how he and colleagues felt.

 

The full sentence, which is crossed out, says: “I am aware many of them, like me, felt like headless chickens running about.”

 

The PC’s concerns about the lack of police radios is also erased as is his observation: “There were lots of police near me and no instructions were given to assist and no details were given about what was really happening.”

 

He tells of officers’ disbelief at estimates of the deaths but the phrase: “Nothing had even been communicated to them at that stage, by radio or verbally” has been cut.

 

The final paragraph, which is also crossed out, reads: “I felt ashamed...the police did not respond professionally after the deaths were established. I also regret constables did not have personal radios for many reasons.”

 

The cover note calls the sentence “adverse comment” and says Finnerty should be asked to review it.

 

Two copies of a statement from PC David Illingworth have different final sentences. In one he concludes: “At the height of the disaster no-one seemed to take control.” In a second almost- identical version this line is missing.

 

There are three versions of a statement by PC John Botfield. He tells of bodies on the pitch and “utter confusion”. But his comments on lack of command annoy the censor.

 

Pc Botfield says: “On our arrival confusion reigned, no one person seemed to be in overall command of the situation but within a short time organisation took place.”

 

This is crossed out in one version of his handwritten copy to be replaced with: “On our arrival confusion reigned. It was a difficult situation but within a very short period of time police officers were organised and efficiency took over with officers being given specific tasks.” This version is used in the typed copy.

 

A statement from PC Andre Smyk also has passages scored through. They include the words: “There seemed to be a number of inspectors present but no-one giving orders or instructions to anyone. We seemed under-employed.”

 

Comments on cover notes to amended statements all appear to be in the same writing.

 

But not all are negative. Sgt Stephen Farnsworth mentions fans allegedly climbing walls to get in. The cover note says: “Ok. Good statement for SYP (South Yorkshire Police).

 

The force has admitted statements were changed but relatives believe police tried to divert attention from their failures and blame supporters.

 

The new papers also say police could have averted many deaths if they had allowed paramedics quicker access to victims. Crews say they could have saved lives if police had declared a “major incident”.

 

The 14 boxes contain all the documents seen by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith in 1997 when he was asked to review whether the inquest should be re-opened.

 

They include statements taken shortly after the tragedy by police including the man in command, Chief Supt David Duckenfield. Lord Stuart-Smith concluded there was not enough new evidence to re-open the inquest.

 

The papers were then dumped in the Commons library in 1998 but with no attempt to catalogue them and with many official documents mixed up with statements.

 

It is not clear whether this was an attempt to hide potentially damaging evidence or an example of officials failing to take care of important documents.

 

Liverpool Garston MP Maria Eagle said: “This shows there was a black propaganda unit in the police and there were a number of senior officers involved.

 

“The police left in the hearsay that suited their story but took out the hearsay that criticised senior officers.

 

“They were trying to massage statements around the story they had decided, which was drunk Liverpool fans forcing the gates. It was a conspiracy that failed.”

 

Labour MPs met Home Secretary Jacqui Smith last night to press for all police and hospital records to be put in the public domain in an attempt to show whether the South Yorkshire force could have done more to save fans.

 

Mrs Smith has promised to get the documents published. But no date on when that will happen has been announced.

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2...15875-21337982/

[GWistooshort]

& Brian Reade's accompanying article..........

 

A blatant denial of the truth

By Brian Reade

 

It's only when you stare at the changed statements that the scale of the cover-up hits home.

 

If the words of police officers were altered so shamelessly today, would it be tolerated? Had it happened at a gathering outside a football ground 20 years ago, would society have accepted that public servants could so brazenly pervert justice? This blatant denial of the truth is a sore that has festered for 20 years. It backs the view that from

 

Day One a decision was taken to shift culpability from the police.

 

Trevor Hicks, who lost two daughters, says an Establishment figure told him Margaret Thatcher decided the police must escape blame. Looking at the corruption of these statements backs up his claim. It's why families are after full disclosure of ALL documents including those surrounding the first meeting between Thatcher and police, when the tone was set.

 

A tone given away by her adviser Bernard Ingham who came out to tell the Press that the cause of the disaster was a "tanked-up mob".

 

Look at the changes to these statements, see how it ties in with that agenda, then ask how Britain has tolerated such a flagrant injustice for so long.

 

And how we owe it to the dead and bereaved to put it right..

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2...15875-21337982/

[owenthomas]

whilst i find it heartening that the truth is finally beginning to come out i also find it even more saddening that it's taken so long.. the 96, their families, Liverpool Football Club, us as fans and the neutrals that support our fight for Justice have had 20 heartbreaking years of lies, injustice and cover-ups to battle against and any action should take the pain of these last 20 years into account and not just what happened on that day..

 

b******s.

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Has it been anounced yet what will actually be released early? ie - will we get to see the witches cabinet meeting comments ect? although one suspects that the most damming stuff would be of record

[owenthomas]

what Thatcher said MUST come out in full..

[Tosh]

The fact that the Mirror has published details of the changed statements is great. WE know that happened but this may well get a head of steam now that, frankly, in the dark days of hooliganism, it would not have had.

 

PCGM, if you like, but the accountability of the police has never been questioned as much as now (post lawrence/de Menezes etc) and the press may well make this very uncomfortable for the Police - and Govt.

 

No one will EVER prove a link to Thatcher, IMO

[Behind Enemy Lines]

what Thatcher said MUST come out in full..

but how can private conversations come out?

[Behind Enemy Lines]

No one will EVER prove a link to Thatcher, IMO

 

I think you're right -

 

sadly

 

very sadly

[Woodsyla]

This is great stuff though, it's a blatant cover up by the police. Whatever people may believe caused the disaster this proves beyond a shadow of doubt that the police were under prepared and out of control in the aftermath. There is proof right there in black and white.

 

Hopefully now, what any free thinking person will conclude. So they definitely lied about what happened after the tragedy, so why should I believe what they claimed caused this.

 

Getting the nation to see that there was a police cover up is a massive step in getting the nation to believe that there could be more lies that we don't know about and that the police have been covering there arses from day 1. We all know this is true but most non-football people don't.

[owenthomas]

but how can private conversations come out?

i personally hope that whatever she said, and to whom she said it, is lodged in a pre-enquiry statement somewhere..

[smithdown]

So much for Burnham and Brown.

[Duncan Disorderly]

If all the victims died by 3:15, then how does that correspond with the 3 year coma and death of Tony Bland? Surely that one death blows the arbitrary time set at 3:15 right out of the water? Or is there another reasoning behind this particular situation?

[JRC]

If all the victims died by 3:15, then how does that correspond with the 3 year coma and death of Tony Bland? Surely that one death blows the arbitrary time set at 3:15 right out of the water? Or is there another reasoning behind this particular situation?

I think the actual reason - which has no validity in Coroner's practice or law, apparently - was that the injuries had been sustained and there was no possibility of recovery by 3:15 - so those not dead were going to die from their injuries anyway, so no point in investigating etc.. Still arbitrary and unjustifiable, and purely used to prevent closer scrutiny of the Emergency services response