A  total of 96 people were crushed to death as a result of the disaster, and fololwing a 23-year wait, the families were finally greeted with a 394-page report that detailed how police disseminated false information, with 164 statements made by police doctored, with 116 negative comments removed entirely from the statements.

Margaret Aspinall, chairman of HFSG, said: "The panel have let the 96 rest in peace for the first time."

When asked if people had seen the biggest cover-up in British history, Michael Mansfield QC, the Hillsborough Families lawyer, simply replied: "Yes."

Elsewhere David Compton, Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, the force heavily criticized for their role in the Hillsborough tragedy, has apologised to the victims' families, admitting "lies were told about what happened."

"Some grave errors were made in this case but it would be unfair to widen it out any further," said Compton.

Everton Football Club, Liverpool's Merseyside rivals, also paid tribute to those who had lost their lives on the day the Panel's findings were released, with club shirts emblazed with the slogan "remembering the 96" on display in their club shop.

- Agencies