Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that a new police investigation into the Hillsborough disaster will be carried out.
The decision comes on the day when the High Court is considering whether to quash the original inquest into the tragedy that resulted in the death of 96 Liverpool fans during an FA Cup semi-final in 1989, at the request of the Attorney General.
The Hillsborough Independent Panel revealed earlier this year that there had been a major police cover-up during the original investigation, which attempted to shift the blame onto the Liverpool supporters as opposed to admitting to incompetence when dealing with the incident.
Former Durham Chief Constable Jon Stoddart has been elected to lead the inquiry, which will be carried out alongside the current investigation into the authorities by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
"The findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel were truly shocking but while the families have now been given the truth, they have not yet received justice," said the Home Secretary.
"Jon Stoddart is a skilled and dedicated investigator who will bring a huge amount of policing experience to this demanding job. I am giving the IPCC new powers to investigate police misconduct but this investigation will ensure no body with responsibility for fan safety at Hillsborough will escape scrutiny.
"I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."
Mr Stoddart will not be permitted to recruit investigators from the West Midlands, South Yorkshire or Merseyside police, nor those that have any connections to the disaster, which occurred 23 years ago.
Danielle Joynson
