A landmark report into the conduct of police officers during and after the Hillsborough disaster is set to be published today, Tuesday 2 December 2025. The findings from the Independent Office for Police Misconduct (IOPC) conclude the largest ever independent probe into alleged police misconduct and criminality in England and Wales.
The Long Road to Truth
The investigation, which began in 2012, centred on two critical areas: amendments made to the accounts of officers who were present at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, and allegations that police disseminated misleading information to the media, politicians, and official inquiries. The IOPC also examined the role of West Midlands Police, which led the initial investigation, and claims that family members and campaigners were placed under police surveillance.
The disaster at Sheffield's Hillsborough stadium on 15 April 1989 resulted in the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans, aged from 10 to 67, following a crush on the terraces. For decades, a false narrative persisted that late-arriving, drunk, and ticketless Liverpool supporters caused the tragedy. This was definitively overturned by new inquests in April 2016, which ruled the victims were unlawfully killed.
No Officers Face Misconduct Proceedings
In a significant development earlier this year, the IOPC informed the victims' families that no serving or former officers would face misconduct proceedings. The watchdog stated that while dozens of allegations of misconduct had been upheld, the individuals involved had all left the police service. Crucially, it cited that legislation at the time of the disaster did not impose a statutory duty of candour on police officers.
The IOPC has confirmed its investigation "aligned" with the prior findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and the 2016 inquests. It explicitly found no evidence to support early police claims that supporter behaviour caused or contributed to the disaster.
The Legacy and the New Law
The report's publication follows decades of relentless campaigning by the families of the 97. Its release coincides with recent legislative progress, as the government introduced the Hillsborough Law to the House of Commons in September 2025. This proposed law would enact a legal duty of candour, compelling public officials to act with honesty and integrity or face criminal sanctions.
Today's report marks a pivotal moment in the long history of Britain's worst sporting disaster, offering a formal, independent assessment of police actions in the aftermath of a tragedy that has shaped policing accountability for a generation.
