INVESTIGATORS into the Hillsborough football stadium disaster handed files on 23 suspects — including police officers — to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) yesterday.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans died in the tragedy during a 1989 FA Cup semi-final when police caused a crush by directing thousands of fans into an already-packed section of the Sheffield stadium.

Police and the right-wing press allegedly collaborated in a cover-up following the tragedy, blaming the fans themselves.

An inquest returned verdicts of accidental death. Families of the dead refused to accept police and media versions of what happened, instead campaigning for the truth.

An independent public inquiry finally uncovered the facts in 2012 and a new inquest last year ruled the 96 were unlawfully killed.

Two investigations have been conducted into Hillsborough, one by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the other, Operation Resolve, a criminal investigation by police.

A statement from investigators said 15 suspects relate to the causes of the disaster, while eight relate to the alleged police cover-up.

Possible charges include gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and offences under safety legislation.

More than 170 allegations of police misconduct are still being investigated.

Lawyer Elkan Abrahamson, representing 20 Hillsborough families, said: “Given that the CPS have been working in tandem with the police and the IPCC for many years we believe decisions should now be taken without further delay.

“We will continue to scrutinise the process and any decisions.”

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