Phil Scraton on Hillsborough and turning down an OBE

Social justice and criminology researcher Phil Scraton talks to The Update about the Hillsborough disaster and turning down and OBE in the 2017 New Years honours. He has played a large role over the past 27 years in uncovering the truth behind the Hillsborough disaster which killed 96 and injured hundreds.

[@mattastley8095]

Im not a liverpool fan or even from liverpool but what this guy did over so many years off his own back for the familys of the 96 is absolutly incredible. Hero

[@MarkHarrison733]

The drunk fans caused all of the deaths.

[@patcronin9056]

An absolute legend, a man of the people even though he works only with the facts. He's incredibly well spoken, great values, great ethics, a great liverpudlian. Delighted he got recognized with the freedom of liverpool

[@rosswiggin344]

Welll done I agree

[@paigeleigh2554]

Brilliantly said! X

[@Bogsyism]

A man of the people. The Northen people.

[@Bogsyism]

To this very day The Sun Newspaper sells very few papers in Liverpool due to their disgusting reporting about this disaster where they blamed the fans for being drunk, stealing from dead bodies and urinating on the police. All proven lies.

[@MarkHarrison733]

We should have cut off all funding for Liverpool in 1981.

[@jossym]

Although he'd modestly disagree - in my opinion, Professor Phil Scraton is somebody worthy of being hailed as a hero for his tireless work on the Hillsborough disaster and subsequent appalling coverups. And I wish that our current crop of vacuous "celebrities" could see through the utter sham that is the honours system in the UK, explained brilliantly here by Prof. Scraton. Without irony and no pun intended, I salute you👍. Thank you for all that you've done.

[@MarkHarrison733]

There was no "cover up".

[@lorrainebrown1494]

Phil was my lecturer at Edge HIll college many years ago. I admired him then and I still do. I learned so much from him - in particular, that those who hold power and authority are not above the law and must be held accountable for their actions. Phil's work is simply amazing.

[@joeexotic5831]

So humble too. His work has helped so many just with Hillsborough

[@raraflindon5065]

Mine too, back in the 1980s. He helped me with my dissertation and inspired me to work with the under privileged and disenfranchised. Great debates in his room in Lancs

[@aliverbirduponmychest3055]

As a survivor of pen 3 of the Leppings Lane terrace, I salute Phil and many more who have had the strength, courage and determination to fight for the truth and justice on behalf of those of us who have suffered in silence and for those of us who couldn't. In my eyes and the eyes of the silent thousands, thank you

[@tiarnan76]

Have you ever seen the documentary "The Hillsborough Ripple Effect"?

[@tiarnan76]

By the way - what you all went through is just so horrific...hope you've been able to have somewhat of a normal life after what you experienced....

[@MarkHarrison733]

The drunk fans caused all of the deaths.

[@joeexotic5831]

A true Scouse hero, they come in all shapes and forms. If I met this man tomorrow I would give him the biggest hug. This man has worked tirelessly as the voice of the 96. Putting the points across better than any of us could ever imagine in the circumstances. His explanation of why he wants no award or title from the establishment is amazing, a true hero. Thank you from every scouser YNWA

[@MarkHarrison733]

The 96 were killed by the drunk fans.

[@weekendhacker]

This is a man of integrity and dedication. Respect.

[@carlmarks8170]

Thank you, Phil Scraton. I'm from the other side of the world. I've never been to a football match in the UK, but I'm a passionate supporter of my local home team and I go every weekend to watch them play. Over the years, I've watched so many KZbin clips of the Hillsborough tragedy and the aftermath. I've read many of the survivors' stories, listened to stories from the bereaved and learned much from your investigative work. I don't know why I do this because I shed tears every time. There's something about this particular story, I just can't let it go. So senseless and stupid. It just disgusts me and makes me furious that a system designed to serve & protect the people can be so endlessly corrupt and that grieving families could be denied proper closure. A similar thing happens here where I live - a self-regulating police force that can never ever admit to any wrongdoing or mistakes. I hope the wrongs can be righted. I hope that proper checks and balances are put in place so that this type of perversion of justice can never happen again.

[@MarkHarrison733]

The fans were drunk and had forged tickets.

[@devongarvie6261]

@@MarkHarrison733no. No. No. No. no no. No no

[@davidmackeown297]

Exactly the reason - main reason is was the fans wern t channelled down the left and right side of the tunnel by police or stewards . Could and should have been avoided. Sadly it will stay with me till day I die. Watched this live in Ireland in 89 as a massive fan and I could tell even watching back then how negligent they were. What a legend of a man . I salute your work. YNWA.

[@racheldemain1940]

What an inspiring Man just who you want by your side!!

[@tommychinn3089]

I salute you Phil Scraton you are an absolute legend and need no honour from this corrupt establishment to tell anybody or yourself that. Bless you sir your rewards will be in heaven YNWA x

[@joeexotic5831]

No because he has the freedom and respect of all of Liverpool and far and wide. He didn't do it for that. It could have been him or his family as like many a scouser he was bought up at the match, his thoughts where and always have been with his fellow Scousers, the only title or respect he needs is from those same Scousers he was helping

[@juliawalker-thompson4945]

In my post l addressed this truly wonderful gentle as Mr Scraton as a mark of respect Taught by my forebears not to be on first name rudeness♉

[@thomasbonner8464]

A great and humble man.

[@leannerobson3998]

This man always a hero never wants any thanks bless you Phil xxx

[@hstcrouchy]

An amazing man.

[@Onkarr]

Takes one wo/man to make big changes in the world and much love and respect to someone who has courage to turn down with potential pressures from peers.🏅🙌🌟

[@Doniedaff]

What a man!

[@paigeleigh2554]

What an incredible man! X

[@kingneptune8937]

A man of hounur.

[@175tommy]

Thank you Brother

[@danozism]

What a wonderful man. #Justiceforthe96

[@mrsdiana324]

I think this guy is bloody amazing i have read a lot of his work

[@tommychinn3089]

John Lennon also sent his MBE back to the palace....yes you are in very special company Phil x

[@garethfieldstead7547]

For what reason? Lennon did it for a publicity stunt. Like rolling around a bed for a while with Ono in the name of "peace"

[@johnlyons4836]

Amazing man

[@hazelwalsh3269]

What an Absolute Legend Phil Scraton is! And good on him for turning down a rotten establishment OBE! He's in good company! David Bowie and John Lennon turned them down and retuned them too!!

[@christumferens1716]

Rule Britannia

[@humanforfreedom9583]

take an obe??? what from the very people who covered up the truth??? nar mate you don't sell morals for NOTHING

[@garethfieldstead7547]

Sorry to disappoint but several family members of the bereaved accepted their awards.

[@garethfieldstead7547]

He's lived off that for 30 plus years even though he wasn't at the game. In his book he still managed to have numerous digs at Everton, cheap shots. Hadn't actually been to a game in years. Minimizing Liverpool fans involvement in both the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters. No wonder so many opposing fans sing always the victim it's never their fault.

[@jennydunn9014]

He’s lived in seeking the truth and uncovering a scandal that the establishment where complicit in? Gareth you obviously have a problem with Liverpool fans and obviously you mentioned Heysel because it’s the same lazy reaction to anytime Hillsborough is mentioned….39 years ago and justice was served but apparently not enough for people like you? Phill has got more integrity in his little finger than you have in your entire body

[@redlinetelevision]

The incompetence of the police caused 96 deaths, which is unforgivable, but to cover up their mistakes and blame the victims is worse than the fact they killed those mainly young fans

[@MarkHarrison733]

The drunk fans killed them. There was no "cover up" at all.

[@diggers7169]

I didn’t know that Duckenfield’s whereabouts for 3 hours on that day are unknown! Has he ever shed light on this??

[@noelgallagher1829]

L E G E N D 96

[@72ghettoboy]

Brought the book time ago,this man is a Saint

[@daviddowney7703]

He is a fantastic man

[@davidcampbell2803]

Thank you Phil I would like to say I’m am still alive am I 30 years wot did I do to deserve this I tried my best to save jack I av to live with my uselessness them people don’t understand wot goes on in our heads still

[@colinward1007]

Keep strong mate. Justice will hopefully be served soon.

[@giliarmson7293]

How are you David ?

[@julianroberts5407]

Fantastic guy

[@edmundpower1250]

Great interview by a very bright and beautiful young lady ...the whole interview flowed naturally

[@zabaleta66]

Beautiful girl. I can't watch Hillsborough footage.....too upsetting.

[@breadandcircuses9967]

Phil Scraton says at 1:52 that when the fans got into the pens they couldn't get back out of the tunnel , i'm not disputing anything but can someone explain why they couldn't get back out , i mean surely with all those people the message would have passed on that it was too full and to stop coming in and go back out , if not in the pens itself then outside at the start of the tunnel .

[@shirleythomas9921]

Assume… volume of people continuing to come down the tunnel meant people couldn’t get back out. Have you read his book or seen the documentary Hillsborough?

[@breadandcircuses9967]

@@shirleythomas9921 hi , i've just watched Anne , all episodes , watched the Hillsborough documentary and read some of Phil Scraton's book , i used to go to highbury stadium in the 80's and always avoided the police and always went to the sides of the terraces nearer to the exits , i'm as frustrated and angry at the incompetence as most people non connected to the event i just find it frustrating that innocent people trusted the police there at the time and you cant tell me it wouldnt have been apparent to everyone where the tunnel met the central pens that the central pens were chock full so why did so many more enter then ? dont paint me as an enemy or antagonist but there is such a thing as the english language where people can think and express two plus two , again please dont think i'm trying to antagonise because i'm not.

[@lindagoodswin9519]

It was what has been said there was to many people coming down the tunnel to get out, you think they let 27,000 people in from out side it would of been so busy, liverpool had more fans on that day, they asked for more room but was turned down, so a club who had more people got less space on the day, i would love to know were david duckenfield was for them few hours on the day, he should be in prison along with the sun news paper and other bent cops from that day.

[@tiarnan76]

watch the documentary "The Hillsborough Ripple Effect" - it will explain everything.... this was no accident

[@hughjanus900]

Typical scouser, look at the facts, find the truth ,and with unflinching grit fight his corner,never giving up, I salute you sir for I know whatever the truth was you found it.

[@sausage289]

I don’t dispute the man’s integrity but his anti British Socialist views learnt at his fathers knee pour out throughout. I wonder what he thinks about heysel

[@jennydunn9014]

I wonder why you feel the need to bring up Heysel at every mention of Hillsborough? Justice is was served and. People sentenced to prison? It’s a pathetic excuse to take a swipe at Hillsborough and. Liverpool fans and the two events are completely different?

[@sausage289]

@@jennydunn9014why did a few thousand Liverpool fans turn up without tickets and still blame the police and SWFC for everything? The bitterness is not just on Liverpool FC’s side. Wake up

[@sausage289]

It’s still everyone else’s fault that thousands of LFC fans turned up without tickets and (as a partial cause) killed their fans. Is there an honest LFC fan out there?

[@michaelmuldowney8]

Should be Sir Phil.

[@valuetraveler2026]

No! The state's medals should not matter

[@valuetraveler2026]

if you decide to stay true to yourself, to Only work with facts and analysis, you will have to forgo any recognition from a state which is inherently corrupt and anti-truth.

[@MarkHarrison733]

The drunk fans with forged tickets charged the gate, causing all of the deaths.

[@danieljamesmead]

It's ok to seek help Mark. I hope you find it.