Inquiries are to be launched into possible crimes committed by police in relation the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
In what will be the biggest ever independent investigation into police wrongdoing, the IPCC police watchdog and director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer have announced they will both launch inquiries into possible crimes committed by police.
They will investigate both serving and former officers at South Yorkshire Police, who dealt with the tragedy, and West Midlands Police, who investigated how South Yorkshire handled the disaster.
They will consider whether individuals or corporate bodies should be charged.
The decision comes a month after the publication of a damning report on the disaster, which claimed there was a cover-up to shift blame onto the 96 Liverpool fans who died.
Published by the Hillsborough Independent Panel, the report revealed 164 police statements were altered - 116 of them to remove or change negative comments about the policing of the match.
Some 96 Liverpool fans were killed in the Hillsborough disaster, which occurred at a FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Sheffield stadium.
To date, no individual or organisation has been successfully prosecuted over the disaster.
Lawyers for some of the victims' families have argued South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Wednesday and the Football Association should face corporate manslaughter charges.
Sir Norman Bettison, currently Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, has been referred to the IPCC over allegations he provided misleading information after the tragedy, BBC News reports.
He is also under investigation for allegations he "attempted to influence the decision-making process of the West Yorkshire Police Authority in connection with the referral that they had made", Deputy chair of the IPCC Deborah Glass said.
Journalists, MPs and members of the public have taken to social networking site Twitter to discuss the news.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper @YvetteCooperMP wrote: "Strongly welcome IPCC investigation into police cover up re Hillsborough. Families have waited 23yrs for truth - need justice now."
Meanwhile journalist steve punter@stephenpunter said: "Never doubt a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Truth & justice starts 23 years on 4 #Hillsboroughfriends & families".
To read details of the decision, click here.
