Hillsborough campaigner Phil Scraton refuses OBE – for the right reasons
Prof Scraton received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in September [Image: Getty Images].
Acceptance would have meant complicity with those who have spent decades trying to cover up what happened at Hillsborough.
We haven’t seen the prosecutions that the evidence demands, and This Writer thinks Professor Scraton is right to refuse any honours until after these have taken place…
If they ever do.
Hillsborough campaigner Prof Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
The author, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s research team, said he could not receive an honour in protest “at those who remained unresponsive” to help families and survivors affected by the disaster.
He added: “Finally, I could not accept an honour tied in name to the ‘British Empire’.
“In my scholarship and teaching I remain a strong critic of the historical, cultural and political contexts of imperialism and their international legacy.”
Ninety-six people died following a crush at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.
In April, an inquest jury concluded the fans were unlawfully killed.
Source: Hillsborough campaigner Phil Scraton refuses OBE – BBC News
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Good for him. The honours system is a nonsense, after all the “British Empire” hasn’t existed for decades, but Tories like to keep its memory alive, or at least their version of what it was all about..
Well done him. An extra point: accepting being honoured by our current government could also be seen as accepting that such folk as Gideon’s aide and Mrs Cameron’s stylist deserve to be honoured.
Good for him
Kudos on the rejection not an easy decision to make on his part.
Thank youMike for all posts throughout the year ..Please keep em coming ! All the very best x
You’re welcome, and I certainly hope to.