A scathing investigative report that revealed extensive malfeasance by police and stadium officials during and after the 1989 Hillsborough crowd crush that resulted in 96 deaths has prompted Prime Minister David Cameron to issue an apology.

Cameron said he was "profoundly sorry" for the actions of police to deflect blame away from themselves and onto the victims, who were portrayed as dangerous, drunken troublemakers in reports and statements. Covering up their flawed responses and dangers of an outdated stadium amounted to a "double injustice," he said.

The victims, nearly all Liverpool fans, died as an FA Cup match with Nottingham Forest was kicking off. Fans streamed into an already packed fenced-in enclosure at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield, and many were crushed against metal fences. Some clambered up metal fences to safety but others were unable to escape and died before medical personnel could reach them.

Since the disaster, families and relatives of those who died have pressed for complete disclosure of what happened and how such distorted information was issued by police and distributed to the press.