Liverpool MPs urge new inquest

Labour MPs have demanded a new inquest into the deaths of 96 fans in the Hillsborough disaster, urging the Government to “put right one of the greatest injustices in our country’s history”.

David Cameron earlier officially apologised to the victims of the tragedy, after the publication of a damning independent report into the actions of the authorities.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel report concluded as many as 41 people had the "potential to survive" if police had acted more swiftly, and found evidence of “strenuous attempts to deflect blame” from officers. (Read how the day unfolded on our liveblog here)

In a statement to the House of Commons, the Prime Minister said: "On behalf of the Government and indeed the country, I am profoundly sorry that this double injustice has been uncorrected from now on."

Ed Miliband echoed his comments, saying the disaster was caused by "an unsafe ground and terrible mistakes and negligence in policing", and that the victims' grief had been compounded by the media's portrayal of events.

But speaking tonight at a vigil for fans in Liverpool, Labour MPs Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram urged the Government to go further and order a fresh investigation.

Mr Burnham said the evidence in the report was “devastating”, and claimed he was “struggling to comprehend” how the injustice had been allowed to stand for so long.

“From what I knew already, and from what I have learned today, I will never be able to accept or allow a verdict of accidental death to remain on the public record," he said.

“We need a new inquest, a new verdict, and only then can we say we’ve put right one of the greatest injustices in our country’s history in the 20th Century.”

Mr Rotheram said today’s report was “conclusive proof” that those responsible were not fans, but people "in positions of authority”.

“Whilst the long campaign for truth has concluded, the fight for justice goes on. Those guilty of causing deaths of innocent people should be held accountable. It’s not about retribution, it’s about responsibility."

Clive Betts, who, along with fellow MPs Mr Rotheram and Derek Twigg was in the crowd on the day of the tragedy, said the initial inquest was "fundamentally flawed" and there was now "obviously" a case for a second inquiry.

The editor of the Sun, Dominic Mohan, has also apologised for publishing an "inaccurate and offensive" story about the tragedy.

In a video posted on the paper's website, Mr Mohan said: "The Independent Panel has now established what really happened. It's an appalling story, and at the heart of it is the police's attempts to smear Liverpool fans. It's a version iof events that we went along with, and for that we're deeply ashamed and profoundly sorry."