Full Breakdown
Campaign for Truth: The Hicks Family's Fight for Justice
2/10/2026, 10:15:13 PM
Core Event: Campaign to Amend Official Records
Trevor and Jenni Hicks, parents of Victoria, 15, and Sarah, 19, who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, have initiated a campaign to amend official court records that inaccurately state their daughters experienced "swift and sudden deaths." The Hicks argue that South Yorkshire Police (SYP) could easily rectify these records by issuing a statement in open court. Despite SYP's "unreserved apology" for the past, the police have not committed to a new court hearing to correct the records.
Background & Context: The Hillsborough Disaster
The Hillsborough disaster occurred on April 15, 1989, during an FA Cup semi-final match at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium, resulting in the deaths of 97 individuals due to a crush on the Leppings Lane terrace. In the early 1990s, some families, including the Hicks, sued SYP for the suffering their loved ones endured before dying. The police's defense relied on the "30 second rule," a flawed assertion that victims lost consciousness within 30 seconds of the crush. This claim was later disproven by the Hillsborough Independent Panel report in 2012 and subsequent inquests, which revealed that Victoria and Sarah suffered for approximately an hour before their deaths.
Official Statements & Responses
In a letter to the Hicks family, South Yorkshire's Chief Constable Lauren Poultney acknowledged the "serious errors and mistakes" made by the police, stating that if the case were to be re-litigated today, it would not be defended by SYP. However, the letter did not propose any new court proceedings, leading Trevor Hicks to describe it as "hollow." Jenni Hicks emphasized the need for actions to follow the apology, stating, "The words need to be followed with actions."
Criticism & Opposition: Calls for Accountability
At a recent campaign event in the House of Lords, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham highlighted the necessity of implementing the delayed Hillsborough Law, which would impose legal obligations on public officials to tell the truth or face criminal penalties. Former Prime Minister Baroness Theresa May expressed disbelief that the Hicks family continues to fight for acknowledgment of the truth regarding their daughters' deaths, urging SYP to take action to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If the case was to be re-run today, it would not be defended by South Yorkshire Police, and I apologise that the case was contested in 1991.” — Lauren Poultney, Chief Constable, South Yorkshire Police
- “We've had tea and sympathy for nearly 40 years, but it's very simple for [Poultney] to take her own portrayed position and convert it into action, do a very simple thing.” — Trevor Hicks
- “South Yorkshire Police must see that this is another disgraceful example of the evasion and obfuscation of the last four decades," she said.” — Theresa May, Former Prime Minister
What's Next: Continuing the Fight for Justice
The Hicks family continues to advocate for a new court hearing to amend the official records, emphasizing the importance of accountability and truth in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster. Their campaign seeks not only justice for their daughters but also broader reforms to ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
