A CHIEF Constable who was part of the shameful police operation at Hillsborough has made a grovelling apology today in the wake of calls for him to quit after he had DEFENDED his actions.
Sir Norman Bettison, then a chief inspector, sparked a storm last night when he said: "I have nothing to hide. Fans' behaviour made the police job harder."
But today the police chief backtracked insisting Liverpool supporters were not to blame - just as the Hillsborough Independent Panel report had stated on Wednesday.
In a statement released this afternoon, Sir Norman said: "Let me speak very clearly. The fans of Liverpool Football Club were in no way to blame for the disaster that unfolded at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.
"I formed this clear view on hearing all the evidence that was presented at the Taylor inquiry, having sat through every day from its beginning, just four weeks after the tragedy, through to its conclusion.
"The evidence was overwhelming. The police failed to control the situation, which ultimately led to the tragic deaths of 96 entirely innocent people.
"I can be no plainer than that and I am sorry if my earlier statement, intended to convey the same message, has caused any further upset.
"My role was never to besmirch the fans. I did not do that. I am deeply sorry that impression and slight has lingered for 23 years."
Sir Norman's apology comes after London Mayor Boris Johnson, former local MP Sir Irvine Patnick and even the Football Association said sorry to the families of the 96 dead.
And today the Hillsborough cops were told they could face possible MANSLAUGHTER charges.
Today the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police said the force would consider asking a police watchdog whether those involved in the Hillsborough tragedy should face investigations over the deaths of fans.
David Crompton said the force was looking into a number of issues to refer to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel. These included corporate manslaughter, manslaughter and misconduct in public office.
Yesterday Sir Norman — now Chief Constable of West Yorkshire but then a chief inspector with the South Yorkshire force — sparked anger as he steadfastly defended his actions. And he sparked more fury and calls for him to quit by blaming the FANS for playing a part.
Sir Norman, 56, said: "Fans' behaviour, to the extent that it was relevant at all, made the job of the police, in the crush outside Leppings Lane turnstiles, harder than it needed to be.
"But it didn't cause the disaster any more than the sunny day that encouraged people to linger outside the stadium as kick-off approached. I held those views then, I hold them now.
"I really welcome the disclosure of all the facts that can be known about the Hillsborough tragedy because I have absolutely nothing to hide."
And in response to revelations in the independent report that police notes were doctored in a bid to smear the dead, he said: "I never altered a statement nor asked for one to be altered."
The report had concluded: "The evidence shows conclusively that Liverpool fans neither caused nor contributed to the deaths of 96 men, women and children."
Trevor Hicks, who lost two daughters, said: "If he is anything of a man, he will stand down and scurry up a drainpipe somewhere."
Sir Norman was off duty but at the FA cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's ground in 1989.
He "put himself on duty" and helped with operations at the ground. He later took part in an internal South Yorkshire Police inquiry.
Yesterday Downing Street refused to express support for Sir Norman, despite being asked several times.
Chairman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group Margaret Aspinall — who lost her son James, 18, — said of the top cop's statement: "I am quite angry about it and I think he should resign. He is still saying the fans made the job more difficult for the police.
"He ought to be ashamed of himself. Do the decent thing Mr Bettison — resign."
Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz, piled pressure on the top cop, saying: "It would not be right for serving officers to stay in post." Former Home Secretary Jack Straw MP also said it was "inevitable" he should consider resigning.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: "He continues to show no remorse for his actions. He continues to refuse to say sorry.
"In fact he goes on to pour petrol on to the flames by blaming fans for hindering the police operation."
After the many apologies that followed the publication of the report, other senior figures followed suit yesterday.
London Mayor BORIS JOHNSON said he was "very, very sorry" for comments in the Spectator mag when he was editor in 2004 which accused people in Liverpool of failing to acknowledge the part played by drunken football fans.
And Sheffield ex-Tory MP SIR IRVINE PATNICK, 82, apologised for spreading police lies — as calls mounted to strip him of his knighthood.
He said: "I am deeply and sincerely sorry for the part I played in adding to the pain and suffering of the victims' families."
The FA, which allowed the ground to host the game despite not having a safety certificate, joined in.
Chairman David Bernstein said: "I offer a full and unreserved apology."
South Yorkshire Police said they were studying the Hillsborough report and planned to refer themselves to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Meanwhile families of the victims are to be given private meetings with medical experts to find out if their loved ones were among the 41 dead who could potentially have been saved if emergency services had acted properly.
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By Daniel Marks, Partner at law firm Harbottle & Lewis
THE legal fallout from this new Hillsborough report could last many years. First, there is the possibility of criminal charges against police officers and other officials on duty at the time and the potential for charges of corporate manslaughter.
The Home Office said criminal misconduct allegations will be investigated and the Independent Police Complaints Commission could probe the South Yorkshire force's conduct.
Individuals may be charged with manslaughter if negligence led to deaths, and allegations that statements were amended could lead to charges of perverting the course of justice.
Victims' families could also bring civil claims for compensation against anyone who "breached a duty of care" that day.
Tributes mark day
POIGNANT tributes to the Hillsborough disaster victims were yesterday placed outside both the Sheffield stadium and Liverpool Football Club's Anfield ground.
Well-wishers left flowers and tied Liverpool scarves and banners to railings.
On the gates of Anfield, fans hung a huge sign proclaiming "Justice at Last" for the 96 killed. It was signed off with the initials YNWA — for the Reds' anthem You'll Never Walk Alone.
In Sheffield, tributes were placed beside the stone memorial to those who lost their lives. Fans of Nottingham Forest — Liverpool's opponents when tragedy struck at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final — and several other clubs also left banners and scarves.
Many of the floral tributes included moving messages. One read: "Thank God for the truth. Pray for justice. The fight goes on. Rest in Peace."
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