The families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster slammed the British legal system after the acquittal of David Duckenfield.
The Hillsborough match commander has been cleared of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans who died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.
At a press conference at the Cunard Building, Margaret Aspinall, chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, lashed out at the British legal system.
“I blame a system that’s so morally wrong within this country, that’s a disgrace to this nation", she said.
“When 96 people, they say 95, we say 96, are unlawfully killed and yet not one person is accountable.
“The question I’d like to ask all of you and people within the system is who put 96 people in their graves, who is accountable?”
Mrs Aspinall thanked Liverpool fans, survivors of the disaster and the people of Liverpool for their support, as well as the Hillsborough Independent Panel and investigators.
She said: “What a disgrace this has been today and what a shame on this country of ours. I feel so embarrassed today that is the system within our country.
“I’m really angry. I’m trying to be calm for the sake of these families who suffered so much, for 30-odd years they have suffered.
“They’ve gone through hell, they’ve gone through all kinds.
“We’ve lost so many good family members.
“Now my concern is these families, I look at their faces. Please God, give them some peace. They deserve it.”
Other family members of the victims also expressed their frustration at the jury's verdict.
John Traynor, whose brothers Christopher, 26, and Kevin, 16, died at Hillsborough, said today's decision had "devastated" the victim's families.
“The family members that you see here today are still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, broken hearts and minds and today’s decision has just devastated all of us, just adding further insult to injury.”
Mr Kelly added: “If anybody fighting injustices is watching us today and they think we’ve been 31 years and we’ve got a not guilty verdict – don’t be put off by that.
“Keep on going. Don’t let anybody stand all over you. If you stick together, your communities, your groups, we will get there.
“We’ve got to keep challenging establishments no matter what. I hope and pray the Hillsborough families and survivors have given you inspiration.”
Mary Corrigan, mother of 17-year-old victim Keith McGrath, said: “The fighting that they said was going on was in the pens.
“The fighting was people, supporters, fighting for their lives and the only ones who were helping them were supporters.”
She said none of that was shown to the jury in the trial.
Ms Corrigan added: “What happened today is so cruel to all of us.
“I haven’t been able to grieve for my son because I’ve been so preoccupied with campaigning like every one of the families to try and get justice.
“That word does not exist in this country.”
