KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum PRIME MINISTER: THE TRUTH ABOUT REDS FANS

From the offal...... Linky ----->

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has spoken exclusively to LFC TV about his admiration for the 'magnificent' Liverpool fans who fought to save lives at Hillsborough and claimed those who attempted to blame them for the disaster had been proven wrong.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's anniversary of Britain's worst ever sporting disaster, the Prime Minister, a Raith Rovers supporter, was determined to let the city of Liverpool know that 20 years on, the country remains right behind the families who lost loved ones at the FA Cup semi-final in 1989, insisting:


The behaviour of fans was magnificent


Those who blamed fans were wrong


We can never forget the 96 people who died


Families deserve Freedom of the City

In obvious reference to one particular newspaper's disgraceful and now infamous front page attack on Liverpool supporters just four days after the disaster, Brown made a point of twice chastising those who tried to blame the very people who were doing most to save lives on the day.

"People will never forget that day; it's etched on our memories," Mr Brown told LFC TV, in an exclusive interview to be screened for the first time at 9pm tonight during a special edition of 'This is Anfield'. "I remember just hearing half hour by half hour the news as it came across from the Hillsborough stadium. It was then that I started to realise what a major disaster that this was. I also remember how the Liverpool fans helped each other, coming to the aid of people who were in difficulty and trying to rescue fellow fans - both young and old. I don't think we can ever forget the 96 people who died.

"I think that the families, in trying to cope with this disaster, have had the support of all decent minded people across the country. I think that's probably what matters most: that people understood that the behaviour of Liverpool fans in helping each other was, as I think the judge said, 'Magnificent'; that it was wrong for people to blame, as some did, Liverpool fans on that day and it's right that the Freedom of the City has been given to the families of Liverpool fans on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of this disaster."

When questioned on what he thought the legacy of the disaster was, Mr Brown again reiterated his point about how the actions of Liverpool supporters on the day were not just heroic but totally at odds with how they were portrayed in certain sections of the media following the disaster.

"I think people have learned first of all not to rush to instant judgements and some of the people who did rush to instant judgements have been proven wrong and that's why the Liverpool people are so respected throughout the country," he said. "The work that they did to help each other on that day and subsequent events when people had to help each other through the difficult times is something that will never be forgotten."

When quizzed in the interview to be shown later tonight on whether he thought there was a still a legal route open to the families in their continued search for justice or whether even an apology would go some way to help ease the pain and suffering of those who lost loved ones that day, the Prime Minister refused to be drawn, preferring instead to repeat his praise for the fans and the families who've acted in such a dignified way over the past 20 years.

"I feel that the best thing that we can do," claimed Mr Brown, "is say that the memories of these fans who died will always be in our minds, that the country understands the difficulties that people have gone through and that there is huge public support and affection for the families that have had to suffer so much. Let's never forget the fans that cruelly lost their lives on a day when we know the people of Liverpool were trying, if they were in that ground, to help each other and that's the spirit of Liverpool."

You can watch the full interview with Gordon Brown on LFC TV's 'This is Anfield' show at 9pm - Sky Channel 434, Virgin Media Channel 544 and online on www.liverpoolfc.tv.

Hats off to Mr Brown.

I don't care whether his is genuine or not. I am only taking my hat off to him for highlighting the fact that the s*n was full of sh1t. I don't give two sh1ts about political agendas, just the cause he spoke out in favour of. If you have people in high places speaking in favour of the reds fans on that day, then you have more chance of the truth coming out.

this is just lip service... if Gordon Brown had any conviction, he and his Government would lay the blame at the feet of the farcical authorities and give justice to the 96 innocent fans and their families once and for all!!!

spot on 4ever.

He's just saying what the particular people who will be listening to the piece want to hear.

The Labour government promised they would re-open the Hillsbrough case if they got into power.

As with most things politicians say, it turned out to be [oops].

He's hoping he will re-open the case.

nice to see a fare amount of positive coverage in today's papers and with the interview that Mr Burnham gave after the service saying that any further evidence should be made public now and not in 10 years maybe justice will come sooner rather than later... ?

I am slightly cynical of The Mirrors sudden interest in the HJC, but hopefully it's just Readey letting everyone know what's what (as Oliver Holt as good as admitted a few days back)

Anything that gets behind the fight is a good thing though, must admit other than nipping into the shop to get some stickers and donate a fiver at every home game, i don't do enough myself.

sounds like you do more than most mate. Did you manage to attend yesterday Cinco? I was planning to fly over with my young daughter but it didn't come off. Will try again next year though for sure.

Never went yesterday.

I've been a few times, but to honest there's a lot about it which makes me very uncomfortable, there's too many people there for a day out and to try and catch a glimpse of the players rather than pay respects.

I wasn't personally affected and have no right to tell people how to grieve but i think it has become a bit of a circus. The singing of Rafa's name yesterday and seeing people filming on there phones just felt so wrong.

And as much as I feel for Trevor Hicks and cannot even begin to imagine what he went through that day, i don't like his using the memorial every year to have a go at people standing at the game and people who wan a return to terracing which is something which i feel can be looked at as long as it is implemented correctly such as in Germany.

I tend to think the best thing you can do next year is to give your daughter a hug and remind her why Liverpool is such a special football club.

I completely agree with you Cinc. I was absolutely disgusted when I spotted a guy in the background of a picture taking a photo. This should be a day of reflection, not star spotting.