FOURTEEN police officers are to receive a total of £1.2 million in agreed damages for mental trauma suffered during the Hillsborough disaster seven years ago.

Not surprisingly the relatives of the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the crowd crush at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday's ground are furious. Some were refused damages for post-traumatic stress after a legal test case. Offers as paltry as £2,000 were made.

Nobody would deny that individual police officers faced a terrible task that day. But they chose a career in the police service. And anyone who joins our emergency services must know that sooner or later he or she is likely to be called upon to face situations of danger and distress. This award will open the flood gates. Every time there is an air crash, a train crash or a serious fire, claims are likely to be filed by members of the emergency services.

The families of the fans who died have been treated shamefully. They have frequently said that all the money in the Bank of England would not compensate for the lives of their loved ones.

But to refuse some damages and offer others insultingly small sums before awarding professionals £1.2 million is rubbing salt in the wounds.

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