John Moores could revoke Met Chief’s honorary fellowship over Hillsborough role

JMU could remove Met Chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe’s honorary fellowship over his involvement in Hillsborough.

The former Merseyside Chief Constable is now Commissioner of the Met Police.

He was in charge of the boys’ club near the stadium where relatives were taken after the 1989 disaster to wait for news of their loved ones.

But now Sir Bernard is being investigated by the police watchdog IPCC over his role that day.

Liverpool JMU’s branch of Unison has written to the Vice Chancellor Nigel Weatherill to get Sir Bernard’s honorary fellowship. It was originally awarded in 2010.

The letter read: “You will be aware of the pain and destruction caused to Liverpool not just in reputation but the many lives that have been ruined following the continuous lies told by the South Yorkshire Police.”

It added: “LJMU is now in the unique position to show not just Liverpool but the rest of the world that LJMU recognises the anguish and grief caused and now wants to take action by revoking Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe’s honorary fellowship.

“Unison JMU wrote to you in 2014, and at the time we accepted the university’s reticence to act before a formal outcome.

“However, as you will be aware, on the 26th April 2016 the jury concluded a formal outcome that the 96 football fans were unlawfully killed and that police error caused and contributed to a dangerous situation .

“Please take this opportunity to stand by the people of Liverpool and represent public feeling on this very important matter.”

A Met Police spokesman told the Liverpool Echo: “The commissioner continues to express his deep sympathy to the families and friends who lost loved ones in the Hillsborough disaster.

“Sir Bernard had no knowledge of the campaign by Unison prior to the media question, but he is proud of his professional links to Liverpool and has respect and affection for those who study, work and live in the city.”