Gordon Brown Praises 'magnificent' Liverpool Supporters on Eve of Hillsborough Anniversary

The prime minister Gordon Brown has shared his memories of the Hillsborough disaster on the eve of its 20th anniversary and condemned those who blamed Liverpool supporters for contributing to the carnage and distress that took place on 15 April 1989.

"People will never forget that day; it's etched on our memories," he told LFC TV. "I remember just hearing half hour by half hour the news as it came across from the Hillsborough stadium. It was then that I started to realize what a major disaster that this was.

"I also remember how the Liverpool fans helped each other, coming to the aid of people who were in difficulty and trying to rescue fellow fans – both young and old.

"I think that's probably what matters most: that people understood that the behavior of Liverpool fans in helping each other was, as I think the judge said, 'Magnificent'; that it was wrong for people to blame, as some did, Liverpool fans on that day."

Mr Brown went on to pay particular tribute to the families of the 96 people who died in Sheffield but declined to comment on the possibility of them receiving government support in their continued pursuit of justice.

"The families, in trying to cope with this disaster, have had the support of all decent minded people across the country. I think that's probably what matters most," he said.

"The best thing that we can do is say that the memories of these fans who died will always be in our minds, that the country understands the difficulties that people have gone through and that there is huge public support and affection for the families that have had to suffer so much.

"It's right that the freedom of the city has been given to the families of Liverpool fans on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of this disaster."