Hillsborough police chief Sir Norman Bettison will learn on Friday what course of action the IPCC [Independent Police Complaints Commission] intend to take following last month’s independent panel findings.

Bettison was referred to the watchdog alongside former employers South Yorkshire Police whilst West Midlands Police, who led the botched investigation in the aftermath, referred themselves.

If found guilty of criminal conduct by the IPCC, the individuals involved could be brought before the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] for prosecution.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: “We have conducted our own review which will undoubtedly cover the referrals we have received and possibly more.”

Bettison apologised last month after insisting Liverpool fans “made the job of the police harder than it needed to be”, just days after the panel’s report was released.

The former Merseyside police chief recently announced his intention to retire next year with a full pension, though criminal charges could yet be brought against him.