# Kop Chants Push Andy Burnham for Hillsborough Justice

> Hillsborough memorial chants forced Andy Burnham to fight for justice after Labour government ignored calls for truth.
- Title: Kop Chants Push Andy Burnham for Hillsborough Justice
- Summary: Hillsborough memorial chants forced Andy Burnham to fight for justice after Labour government ignored calls for truth. Andy Burnham's 2009 Hillsborough…
- Keywords: hillsborough disaster, andy burnham, liverpool, kop, memorial service, justice chants, hillsborough independent panel, unlawful killing, sports, Chants, Push, Andy
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/08/how-the-kops-chants-propelled-andy-burnham-to-fight-for-hillsborough-justice
- Author: Brian Reade
- Published: 2026-10-08T07:32:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hillsborough disaster, andy burnham, liverpool, kop, memorial service, justice chants, hillsborough independent panel, unlawful killing, sports
## Hillsborough 20th Anniversary Service
Liverpool supporters sang You'll Never Walk Alone at Anfield on April 15 2009 for Hillsborough disaster victims.
## Kop Attendance at Service
29,000 people filled Anfield stands with families and fans supporting Hillsborough victims after 20 years.
## Andy Burnham's Speech
Andy Burnham, Labour's culture secretary, spoke at the service but faced boos when he claimed victims would never be forgotten.
## Kop Chants for Justice
Kop fans shouted 'Justice for the 96' after Burnham's speech, demanding action on Hillsborough cover-up.

> Justice for the 96
## Government Response
Burnham urged Gordon Brown to act on Kop's demands, leading to a Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2009.
## 2012 Hillsborough Verdicts
In 2012, police and emergency services were found guilty of 'unlawful killing' for 96 victims after Hillsborough disaster.
## Cameron's Apology
Tory prime minister David Cameron apologized to families and Liverpool fans for Hillsborough cover-up in 2012.
## Kop's Impact
Margaret Aspinall credited Kop chants with changing government policy and securing justice for Hillsborough victims.

> We would never, ever have got the verdicts of 'unlawful killing'
## 2016 Verdicts
In 2:016, 96 victims were officially declared 'unlawful killing' with fans exonerated from blame.
## Five-Year Impact
Five years later, Burnham thanked Kop for pushing for justice and changing government policy on Hillsborough.
## Long-Term Change
Kop chants led to government action on Hillsborough justice after 20 years of silence.
## Key takeaway

Andy Burnham's 2009 Hillsborough speech was interrupted by Kop chants demanding justice, leading to a government inquiry and 2012 verdicts of unlawful killing for the 96 victims.