Andy Burnham has demanded police investigating the Hillsborough disaster be prosecuted for being paid public money to "tell lies".
The shadow home secretary accused South Yorkshire Police Force of covering-up officers' failures in a bid to prevent the truth of how 96 Liverpool FC fans were killed coming to light.
Mr Burnham added that decades of lies by police had caused "incalculable" damage to families who have fought for 27 years to discover how their loved ones died and who was to blame.
"This inquest has today delivered justice, and I would say next must come accountability," the Leigh MP told BBC Radio 4's The World at One.
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
"People have lied down the decades and those lies have cause terrible harm. It was stuff said in the aftermath of the biggest stadium disaster - Liverpool's moment of greatest grief.
"The damage that those lies did was incalculable and that’s why I would say there has to be accountability and there have to be prosecutions.
"Individuals must be held to account for their actions, because nobody at this point has been held to account from the South Yorkshire Police, so part of justice is accountability and that is why I say prosecutions must follow this verdict."
The shadow home secretary was speaking hours after a ruling that found the 96 Liverpool fans crushed to death at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium had been killed "unlawfully", and that police planning "caused or contributed" to the situation.
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Conclusions Are Reached On All 96 Deaths At The Hillsborough Inquest
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A relative holds up a photo of Keith McGrath, who died in the Hillsborough disaster, outside the Hillsborough Inquest in Warrington, where the inquest jury concluded that the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Margaret Aspinall of the Hillsborough Family Support Group shows her emotion as she departs Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims show their emotions as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims show their emotions as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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Relatives sing "You'll never walk alone" after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of the Hillsborough sing 'You'll never walk alone' as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of the Hillsborough sing 'You'll never walk alone' as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of the Hillsborough sing 'You'll never walk alone' as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster. (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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A relative reacts after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster. (credit:Andrew Yates / Reuters)
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Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster. (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Relatives of the Hillsborough victims hold up a 'Justice' scarf as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26 (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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Relatives of Peter McDonnell, who died in the Hillsborough disaster, outside the Hillsborough Inquest in Warrington, where the inquest jury concluded that the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims hug as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: A relative of Hillsborough victims holds up a Liverpool scarf as he departs Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims hug as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Donna Miller (R), sister of Hillsborough victim Paul Carlile gives the thumbs up as she departs Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims hug as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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Relatives of the victims who died in the Hillsborough disaster outside the Hillsborough Inquest in Warrington, where the inquest jury concluded that the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims arrive at Birchwood Park to hear the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, began on March 31 2014 after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims show their emotions as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims hug as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: A relative of the Hillsborough victims talks on the phone as he departs Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Donna Miller (R), sister of Hillsborough victim Paul Carlile holds up a banner as relatives depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Liverpool supporters arrive at Birchwood Park to hear the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, began on March 31 2014 after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the juryÂs verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives attach banners to a wall at Birchwood Park to hear the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, began on March 31 2014 after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the juryÂs verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Liverpool supporters carry a large flag as they arrive at Birchwood Park to hear the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, began on March 31 2014 after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the juryÂs verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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A relative holds up a photo of Keith McGrath, who died in the Hillsborough disaster, outside the Hillsborough Inquest in Warrington, where the inquest jury concluded that the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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A relative holds a photo of Ian Thomas Glover, who died in the Hillsborough disaster, while they are hugged outside the Hillsborough Inquest in Warrington, where the inquest jury concluded that the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: A relative of the Hillsborough victims shouts 'Justice' as he departs Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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A relative reacts after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Yates (credit:Andrew Yates / Reuters)
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Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Yates (credit:Andrew Yates / Reuters)
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Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Yates (credit:Andrew Yates / Reuters)
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Relatives react after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Relatives of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster sing You'll Never Walk Alone outside the Hillsborough Inquest in Warrington, where the inquest jury concluded that the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims show their emotions as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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Relatives of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster celebrate outside the Hillsborough Inquest in Warrington, where the inquest jury concluded that the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
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Relatives embrace after the jury delivered its verdict at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster, in Warrington, Britain April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Yates (credit:Andrew Yates / Reuters)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Margaret Aspinall of the Hillsborough Family Support Group shows her emotion as she departs Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Relatives of Hillsborough victims hold up banners as they depart Birchwood Park after hearing the conclusions of the Hillsborough inquest on April 26, 2016 in Warrington, England. The fresh inquests into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 football supporters were crushed to death, concluded on April 26, 2016 with a verdict of unlawful killing, after the initial verdicts were quashed. Relatives of Liverpool supporters who died in Britain's worst sporting disaster gathered in the purpose-built court to hear the jury's verdict in Warrington after a 25 year fight to overturn the accidental death verdicts handed down at the initial 1991 inquiry. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
Mr Burnham said that justice for those killed in the 1989 tragedy had finally been achieved, following the conclusion of the longest jury case in English legal history.
But he impressed the urgency of following up today's inquest with prosecutions.
"Why did it take 27 years? It took 27 years because the police force tried to deflect the blame off themselves and on to the Liverpool supporters," the Labour MP said.
"This police force has consistently - for the last 27 years - put protecting itself ahead of protecting those hurt by the horror of Hillsborough.
Hear Burnham's comments below
"That is what has happened, and the fact that they decided to contest this inquest, to throw around these allegations again, meant that it took a year or more longer than it should have done and tens of millions of pounds been spent on this.
"How can public money be given in such quantities to the telling of lies in a court room by a police force - I should say by retired officers, to make that distinction."
The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed it will begin the process of considering whether criminal charges should be levied.