Merseyside reacts as final Hillsborough trial collapses
The families of the 96 have been giving their reactions to today's news
Calls have been made for a change in the law after three men were cleared of perverting the course of justice following the Hillsborough disaster.
The jury sitting at the Nightingale court at the Lowry Theatre in Salford heard police officers' statements were changed to remove criticisms of the force following the 1989 disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans died, ahead of an inquiry into safety at sports grounds led by Lord Justice Taylor.
Former chief superintendent Donald Denton, 83, Alan Foster, 74, a retired detective chief inspector, and Peter Metcalf, 71, who acted as solicitor for South Yorkshire Police, were all accused of intending to pervert the course of justice by being part of the process.
But judge Mr Justice William Davis ordered the jury to find the three men not guilty after he ruled the inquiry was not a course of public justice.
Speaking in court before the jury came in, Christine Burke, whose father Henry died in the disaster, said:
"The judiciary is broken.''
She said her father had been buried with a lie'' and that "the law needs to change.''
Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, was among the 96 victims of the disaster, said: "All I can say is I'm disappointed. Ninety-six people were killed and over 500 people were injured, and yet nobody has been found accountable for the deaths and the injuries to the fans.
"All I can say is there has been a cover-up from day one in my opinion.
"The police went out of their way from day one to tell lies and blame the supporters, so nothing surprises me.''
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram said:
"32 years ago, 96 innocent people were unlawfully killed, yet still nobody has been brought to justice.
"For those who claim the establishment don't close ranks when their wrongdoing is exposed, today's ruling is a prime example that justice only applies to some.
"My thoughts are once again with the families of the 96 today, who face yet another kick in the teeth in their fight for justice"
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who has been a campaigner for families of the 96, wrote on Twitter:
"From what I have witnessed first-hand over the last four years, I can only conclude that the scales of justice in this country are weighed heavily against ordinary people.''
He called for the introduction of a Hillsborough Law, which would include a duty of candour for police.
He said: "To have a case of this magnitude ruled out on a technicality beggars belief. This country needs the Hillsborough Law - and it needs it NOW.''