David Duckenfield: 'Failure to close tunnel caused Hillsborough deaths'

Former chief superintendent David Duckenfield has accepted that his failure to close a tunnel resulted in the death of 96 Liverpool supporters at Hillsborough back in 1989.

Duckenfield, who was the match commander on the day of the FA Cup semi-final between the Reds and Nottingham Forest, made the concession at the ongoing inquest into the tragedy in Warrington.

When asked by Paul Greaney QC, acting on behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales, if "closing the tunnel [at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough] would have prevented [the crush] and therefore would have prevented the tragedy", Duckenfield replied "Yes."

Mr Greaney then went on to ask if "that failure was the direct cause of the deaths of 96 persons in the Hillsborough tragedy". Looking down at the floor, Duckenfield said: "Yes, sir."

Duckenfield also revealed that he had turned to alcohol following the disaster to cope with the stress.