Hillsborough: Commander Denies Police Cover-Up

By Becky Johnson, Sky News Correspondent

The match commander on the day of the Hillsborough disaster has denied being part of a conspiracy to cover up the police's role.

Giving evidence for a seventh day to the inquests into the deaths of the 96 Liverpool fans, David Duckenfield admitted "very serious professional failings", but denied telling other officers to lie about what happened.

He was asked by his own barrister, John Beggs QC: "If there was a conspiracy to interfere with a fair collection of the evidence, did you have any part in that?"

Mr Duckenfield replied: "None at all, sir."

Mr Beggs continued: "Did you tell other officers how they should record their evidence in relation to this tragedy?"

Mr Duckenfield stated: "No, sir."

The barrister went on: "Did you at any stage ever encourage any other police officer or police civilian to change his or her statement?"

Mr Duckenfield responded: "No, sir."

The former chief superintendent has already admitted lying in the aftermath of the disaster by not revealing that he had given the command for an exit gate to be opened, allowing around 2,000 fans to surge into the already crowded stadium shortly before kick-off.

He also admitted that his failure to close a tunnel through which the fans entered packed pens where the fatal crush happened "was the direct cause of the deaths of 96 people".

He admits that his "preoccupation" ahead of the match was segregating fans to avoid public disorder and fighting.

Even as fans began to emerge onto the pitch as they tried to escape the crush at the front of the pens, Mr Duckenfield admits that from his position in the police control box, his initial reaction was that it was a pitch invasion.

He told the inquest jury it was not until eight minutes past three when he heard a radio message calling for a "fleet of ambulances" that it became obvious it was not primarily a public order matter.

Mr Duckenfield was asked if he was able to sleep the night of the disaster.

"I don't think so, sir" he replied.

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