Hillsborough inquests: Michael Mansfield on 'far-reaching consequences'

Leading barrister Michael Mansfield QC, who represented most of the victims' families at the Hillsborough Inquests, has called for the creation of a permanent commission scrutinising how the police and other agencies handle crime scenes. Here he writes how the precedent of the inquests could have far-reaching consequences for the investigation of future disasters.

One of the unusual features of these inquests has been the way the friends and relatives of the deceased have been accorded a central status, as required by the European Court of Human Rights.

So often in the past, coroners have barely paid lip service to the families, who mostly feel totally at sea and marginalised.

Two years ago the new Hillsborough Inquests commenced with several weeks of evidence from each of the families of the 96 victims who described the character and background of the loved one who had died.

Each account was different yet had the same impact. A life sorely missed, a memory never to be erased, a desire for justice at all costs - a compelling and exhausting narrative showing the power of the human spirit.

These inquests constitute the longest jury hearing in British legal history. They were brought about by a unique process that provides a useful model for the future.

There were years of repeated failures to uncover the truth about the disaster and different avenues pursued through the judicial system clearly failed the families.

A fresh approach was devised when, in January 2010, the Hillsborough Independent Panel (HIP) was established with powers to obtain and collate all documents relating to the disaster. The crucial directive was to assess what light was cast by these documents upon the known circumstances. This took the exercise beyond mere assemblage into the field of analysis.

Five myths rejected by the jury

Hillsborough: What's next?

Police chief's role in the disaster

The 96 who died

What has been overlooked, except by a few, is the precedent set by this sequence of events.

In short, the need for some kind of permanent and independent oversight that scrutinises the decisions and actions of state agencies investigating potential crime scenes.

I favour the establishment of a permanent body akin to a commission to perform this role, with an oversight remit that extends beyond disasters and encompasses all major incidents involving the loss of life.

This was considered too ambitious by former justice minister Lord Michael Wills, who felt that a mechanism centred on one person and focussed on events similar to Hillsborough might attract more support.

Hence the Disasters Bill put forward in the Commons by Maria Eagle MP in 2015, and put down in the Lords for a second reading this year by Lord Wills.

In essence, it envisages the appointment of a single permanent independent advocate to represent the interests of the bereaved from the beginning in major disasters like the one at Hillsborough.

The oversight task will ensure the various agencies carry out their obligations expeditiously, efficiently and judiciously, keeping the families informed at all times.

This has already attracted widespread cross-party support.

At the core of this exercise will be the need for transparency and disclosure.

These inquests have witnessed an unparalleled level of disclosure for proceedings of this kind.

This has been brought about by the thorough work undertaken by the HIP panel that preceded them. Millions of documents have been electronically stored, categorised and analysed.

Throughout the process, new material has come to light as well as witnesses who were untapped over the years.

An advocate present at the start could ensure that proper inquiries and evidence-gathering is carried out in future.

The full report can be seen on BBC North West Tonight at 18:30 BST on Friday.