Families of Hillsborough victims call for team to conduct 'rigorous' examination of SY Police

Liverpool band The Christians have released a tribute song to remember the 96 Hillsborough victims. Big Red Sky was written last year. Proceeds from the single will go towards the victims' families.

Families who lost loved ones in the Hillsborough Disaster are calling for Theresa May to send a team to conduct a 'rigorous' examination of South Yorkshire Police.

Deputy Chief Constable Dawn Copley, who was appointed acting chief constable of South Yorkshire Police after the suspension of David Crompton following the Hillsborough inquest findings, has "offered to step back to her substantive role" while another temporary chief constable is sought, South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner said.

It comes after news of Ms Copley being investigated over her conduct with Greater Manchester Police came to light. She was one of several officers accused of "corrupt practice" by another officer who was later sacked.

Kent Police investigated the claim but the findings are yet to be made public.

Families of victims of the Hillsborough disaster are pursuing legal action against South Yorkshire and West Midlands Police.

The case, pursued by families of the 96 fans who died, accuses the police of a "systematic cover up" and "abuse on an industrial scale".

This week an inquest jury delivered a finding of "unlawful killing" over the fatal incident on April 15, 1989.

On Wednesday, the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police David Crompton was suspended, a move welcomed by the families of Hillsborough victims.

The legal case was issued at the High Court last year but publication of the claim was prevented until after the inquest concluded.

The action, brought by law firm Saunders Law on behalf of hundreds of those affected by the disaster, is for "misfeasance in public office".

The firm said in a statement: "In addition to the police wrongdoing that caused the deaths, there is evidence of the systematic cover up intended to transfer the blame for what happened from South Yorkshire Police to the innocent, by spreading lies, doctoring evidence, pressurising witnesses and suppressing the truth.

"The evidence points to abuse on an industrial scale by both South Yorkshire and West Midlands Police, beyond any 'one bad apple' analysis.

"In addition to actions by individuals, the evidence suggests institutional misfeasance by these bodies directed against our clients and the fans generally."

The news of the action comes after it emerged retired officers from South Yorkshire Police were told to be proud of their work in the 1980s, in a message mistakenly made public on a website in the wake of the Hillsborough inquest findings.

The Deputy Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police has been appointed as Temporary Chief Constable after the suspension of David Crompton earlier today.

Dawn Copley was promoted to deputy in September 2015, having previously worked in the North West of England.

Mr Crompton's suspension comes the day after an inquest into the Hillsborough disaster delivered a finding of "unlawful killing" for the 96 football fans who lost their lives on 15 April 1989.

He had already announced he would retire in November after 31 years. That announcement followed a report, commissioned in the aftermath of the Rotherham grooming scandal, which found that the response of South Yorkshire police to the abuse had missed opportunities.

Thousands of people stood in St George's Square in Liverpool this evening, for a special Hillsborough service.

The vigil began this evening to remember the 96 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy - and to reflect on their families' long fight for justice, which resulted in a verdict of ''unlawful killing'' yesterday.

Crowds chanted "for the 96, justice" before music by The Beatles was played and 96 young people laid red roses for the victims.

The names and ages of those who died will be read outside the hall, where a memorial emblazoned with the words Truth and Justice stands over a row of 96 lanterns.