Academic refuses honour in protest against ‘those who remained unresponsive’ to efforts for justice after the tragedy

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A Hillsborough campaigner and academic has turned down an OBE in the Queen’s New Year honours list in protest against those who failed to help survivors of the disaster and their bereaved families.

Prof Phil Scraton, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s research team, refused the honour in protest “at those who remained unresponsive” to efforts for truth and justice after the tragedy.

An inquest jury concluded in April that the 96 who died in the crush at Hillsborough stadium on 15 April 1989 were unlawfully killed.

Scraton’s book, Hillsborough: The Truth, is regarded as a definitive account of the disaster and he was given the freedom of the city of Liverpool for his work.

In a statement reported by the BBC, he said: “I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990. Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

“This changed as a direct result of the families’ and survivors’ brave, persistent campaign. It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its groundbreaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts.”

He added: “I headed the panel’s research team and was a consultant to the families’ lawyers throughout the new inquests. I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice.”

Scraton said he appreciated his decision “might come as a disappointment to some Hillsborough families, survivors and whoever nominated me,” the BBC said.

But he added: “I could not accept an honour tied in name to the ‘British empire’. In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy.”</s>Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Prof Scraton received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in September

Hillsborough campaigner Prof Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

The author, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team, said he could not receive an honour in protest "at those who remained unresponsive" to help families and survivors affected by the disaster.

Ninety-six people died following a crush at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.

In April, an inquest jury concluded the fans were unlawfully killed.

Image caption The inquests into the deaths of 96 fans were the longest in UK legal history

Prof Scraton's book, Hillsborough: The Truth, is widely accepted as the definitive account of the disaster.

In a statement, he said: "I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990.

"Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough, independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

"This changed as a direct result of the families' and survivors' brave, persistent campaign.

"It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its ground-breaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts."

Image copyright Richard Stonehouse/Getty Images Image caption Hillsborough campaigners Trevor Hicks and Margaret Aspinall and former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish received Freedom of the City of Liverpool medals in September

Prof Scraton has previously received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool, the Political Studies Association's Campaigner of the Year Award and an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from the University of Liverpool "with gratitude and humility".

But he added: "I headed the Panel's research team and was a consultant to the families' lawyers throughout the new inquests.

"I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice."

Hillsborough campaigners Margaret Aspinall and Trevor Hicks, who both lost children in the disaster at the home ground of Sheffield Wednesday, were made CBEs in 2014.

Prof Scraton acknowledged his decision "might come as a disappointment to some Hillsborough families, survivors and whoever nominated me".

However, he added: "Finally, I could not accept an honour tied in name to the 'British Empire'.

"In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy."

Image copyright Reuters Image caption The behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated at the conclusion of the inquests in April

Fresh inquests in April concluded that the 96 football fans who died as a result of a crush at Hillsborough were unlawfully killed,

The jury found that match commander Ch Supt David Duckenfield was "responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence" due to a breach of his duty of care.

Police errors also added to a dangerous situation at the FA Cup semi-final.

After a 27-year campaign by victims' families, the behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated.

The jury found they did not contribute to the danger unfolding at the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday's ground.</s>A Newcastle basketball legend has been named on the 2017 New Year Honours list in recognition of his dedication to his sport and to the young people of the North East.

Fabulous “Fab” Flournoy, player/coach for the Newcastle Eagles team, has been made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for “extraordinary achievements in sport and related community fields”.

Born in New York, the 43-year-old is one of the most successful people in the world of UK basketball today.

Spearheading the Tyneside team both on the court and in training, he has led the Eagles to 18 separate trophy victories since 2005, including six league titles in nine years.

He’s pretty used to getting awards, but nothing had prepared him for receiving royal recognition.

He said: “It was a real shock, to be honest — when I got the phone call I was right in the middle of preparing for a game, and then they said it was a representative of the Queen — my first thought was, am I in trouble?

“That phone call is one of those things that you’ll always remember — it caught me by surprise, it was an unbelievable feeling.

“I’m just happy, totally honoured by this, and at the same time, trying to stay humble.”

As a child, Fab turned basketball into an opportunity to change his life.

Growing up in a very disadvantaged area, his talent brought him away from the poverty and crime which beset many of his friends and family.

Could young Fab have imagined he would one day be appearing on a UK honours list among the country’s most successful people?

“Looking back now, I could’ve never imagined being on a Queen’s honours list,” he said.

“It’s not an everyday achievement, I’m extremely honoured by it.”

Now, he is dedicated to improving other young lives through sport, and has ensure the Eagles are a force for good in their community.

He has visited young offenders institutions to inspire teens to turn away from crime; spoken out for homeless charities, and worked as part of the ‘Hoops for Health’ initiative run by the team to encourage children to get into sport.

The honours committee described Fab as the “heartbeat” of all the community programmes the Eagles engage in, and he says he sees this work as a vital part of what he does.

He said: “It’s all about the community — I’m only able to play because of my community and the people, mentors, coaches, teachers, who helped me play, to get a college education, to get me out of my neighbourhood.

“So when I became a basketball coach and player and I had the opportunity to give back to the community here in the North East, I very much wanted to do so.

“At any time I could have gone down the wrong path but I had people who kept me on the right road, I want to do that in any community I’m in.

“You never know who you are going to inspire or how you can help them.”</s>A leading Hillsborough campaigner who wrote what is regarded as the definitive account of the disaster has turned down an OBE in the Queen's New Years Honours list.

Professor Phil Scraton, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team, rejected the honour in protest "at those who remained unresponsive" to efforts for truth and justice after the tragedy.

The academic, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team, was one of the campaigners given the freedom of the city of Liverpool in September for his work.</s>Hillsborough campaigner and Queen's University academic Prof Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

He said he could not receive an honour in protest "at those who remained unresponsive" to help families and survivors affected by the disaster.

Ninety-six people died following a crush at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.

In April, an inquest jury concluded the fans were unlawfully killed.

Prof Scraton's book, Hillsborough: The Truth, is widely accepted as the definitive account of the disaster.

In a statement, he said: "I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990.

"Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough, independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

"This changed as a direct result of the families' and survivors' brave, persistent campaign.

"It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its ground-breaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts."

Prof Scraton has previously received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool, the Political Studies Association's Campaigner of the Year Award and an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from the University of Liverpool "with gratitude and humility".

But he added: "I headed the Panel's research team and was a consultant to the families' lawyers throughout the new inquests.

"I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice."

Hillsborough campaigners Margaret Aspinall and Trevor Hicks, who both lost children in the disaster at the home ground of Sheffield Wednesday, were made CBEs in 2014.

Prof Scraton acknowledged his decision "might come as a disappointment to some Hillsborough families, survivors and whoever nominated me".

However, he added: "Finally, I could not accept an honour tied in name to the 'British Empire'.

"In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy."</s>Hillsborough campaigner Professor Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

The author said he could not receive an honour in protest “at those who remained unresponsive” to help families and survivors affected by the disaster.

Ninety-six supporters died following a crush at Hillsborough during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

In April, 27 years on, a jury considering their inquests in Warrington concluded that the fans were unlawfully killed.

Prof Scraton wrote the acclaimed book Hillsborough: The Truth and led the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s research team, which set in motion the legal process.

In a statement, he said: “I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990. Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough, independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

“This changed as a direct result of the families’ and survivors’ brave, persistent campaign. It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its ground-breaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts.

“I headed the Panel’s research team and was a consultant to the families’ lawyers throughout the new inquests.

“I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice.

“In recognition of my work on Hillsborough I have received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool, the Political Studies Association’s Campaigner of the Year Award (alongside Margaret Aspinall, Chair of the HFSG) and an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from the University of Liverpool (my alma mater). I received these awards from my peers with gratitude and humility.

“Finally, I could not accept an honour tied in name to the ‘British Empire’. In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy.”

The ECHO exclusively serialised the new, updated version of Prof Scraton’s expertly-researched account last summer.

New chapters detail the work and findings of the Independent Panel, and all that followed including the new inquests and their uncompromising verdicts.</s>A Hillsborough campaigner and academic has turned down an OBE in protest to decades of Government inaction and failure to help bereaved families.

Professor Phil Scraton was named in the Queen's New Year's Honours List after a landmark ruling this year that the 96 who died in the stadium were 'unlawfully killed'.

But he has refused the Order of the British Empire honour in protest to years of inaction and because of a moral objection to historical 'imperialism'.

'I could not receive an honour on the recommendation of those who remained unresponsive to the determined efforts of bereaved families and survivors to secure truth and justice,' he said in a statement reported by the BBC.

The academic added: 'I could not accept an honour tied in name to the "British Empire". In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy.'

He also said that he appreciated his decision 'might come as a disappointment to some Hillsborough families, survivors and whoever nominated me', the BBC said.

Prof Scraton led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team and his book, Hillsborough: The Truth, is regarded as a definitive account of the disaster. He was given the freedom of the city of Liverpool for his work.

Speaking of his work, he told the BBC: 'I researched Hillsborough from 1989, publishing reports, articles and the first edition of Hillsborough: The Truth in 1990.

'Until 2009, and despite compelling evidence, successive governments declined to pursue a thorough independent review of the context, consequences and aftermath of the disaster.

'This changed as a direct result of the families' and survivors' brave, persistent campaign.

'It led to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, its ground-breaking findings, new inquests and their crucially significant verdicts.'

'I headed the panel's research team and was a consultant to the families' lawyers throughout the new inquests.'

An inquest jury concluded in April that the 96 who died in the crush at Hillsborough Stadium on April 15 1989 were unlawfully killed.

The verdict finally ended years of injustice after South Yorkshire Police had blamed football fans for the death in the FA Cup final against Nottingham Forest.

The jury's findings presented a damning indictment of the way the match was organised and managed - and the failures of emergency services to respond after the disaster unfolded.
The academic Phil Scraton refuses an OBE granted to him by Elizabeth II in her 2017 New Year Honours list for his work on the Hillsborough disaster. Professor Scraton wrote Hillsborough: The Truth, first published in 1990 and seen as the definitive account of the disaster.