David Duckenfield gets £7.6m to pay for legal bills

  • David Duckenfield headed the security operation at Hillsborough, where 96 died
  • Wanted help to fight a bid to lift ‘stay of prosecution’ for manslaughter charges
  • But South Yorkshire’s Police Commissioner Dr Allan Billings turned request down

Former Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, pictured outside the Hillsborough Inquiry in Warrington, headed the security operation in 1989 when 96 fans were crushed to death on the terraces

The police chief in charge at Hillsborough has received £7.6m in legal aid, it can be revealed, as he lost his latest bid for more money to fight manslaughter charges.

Former Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield headed the security operation at Hillsborough in 1989 when 96 fans were crushed to death on the terraces.

The retired police officer is facing charges of manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 people.

He applied to South Yorkshire Police for financial assistance to help him fight the Crown Prosecution Service’s application to lift a ‘stay of prosecution’.

But South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings turned down the new application, revealing he had already received £7.6m in fees for the Hillsborough inquests and defending a private prosecution in 2000.

This was put in place in place in 2000 when jurors failed to reach a verdict after a private prosecution for manslaughter, and the suspension needs to be lifted in the High Court before Duckenfield can go on trial again.

The retired police officer, pictured on the day of the disaster, is facing charges of manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 people

The retired police officer, pictured on the day of the disaster, is facing charges of manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 people

Duckenfield’s application also asks for cash to fund ‘the cost of his defence’ if the stay of prosecution is lifted.

Dr Billings said: ‘I have taken account of the finite resources available to South Yorkshire Police in the coming years and the impact that the decision to agree to the request could have on the budget commitments on the force.’

He added: ‘The jury concluded that a breach of duty by the retired officer, which amounted to gross negligence, caused the death of 96 people who died at Hillsborough. I cannot ignore that conclusion.

‘I have also had regard to the fact that this retired police officer has already received significant financial support.’  

Duckenfield's application also asks for cash to fund 'the cost of his defence' if the stay of prosecution is lifted. Pictured: Liverpool fans try to escape during the disaster

Duckenfield’s application also asks for cash to fund ‘the cost of his defence’ if the stay of prosecution is lifted. Pictured: Liverpool fans try to escape during the disaster

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings(pictured) turned down the new application, revealing he had already received £7.6m in legal fees

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings(pictured) turned down the new application, revealing he had already received £7.6m in legal fees

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