May backs Hillsborough prosecutions

Police officers or anyone else who broke the law in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster should be pursued and, if the evidence is sufficient, prosecuted, the Home Secretary said.

Theresa May said she was still digesting the "deeply shocking and disturbing report" but was "absolutely clear" that those who broke the law should be prosecuted.

Home Office officials have been asked to ensure the "necessary resource, support, advice and co-operation" are in place "to facilitate any and all investigations into individual and systemic issues", Mrs May said.

Mrs May said: "We are still digesting what is a comprehensive report into a complicated series of issues, as well as the various ways in which the report needs to be acted upon in order to move from truth to justice.

"That being said, I am absolutely clear that those who have broken the law should be pursued and, if the evidence is sufficient, prosecuted.

"Investigating individual criminality where there is new evidence or new allegations that have not previously been investigated, whether on the part of serving or retired police officers, is the remit of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)".

The Home Secretary made her comments in a letter to Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.