WARNINGS were issued last night to social media users as well as the press and broadcasting media after the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge six men in connection with the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989 in which 96 Liverpool FC fans were killed.

The CPS warned that “criminal proceedings are now live – please avoid reporting, commentary or sharing of information that may be prejudicial.”

Lawyers have already raised concerns that the six accused may not get a fair trial, and the unprecedented warnings that extend to social media contributors reflect the CPS’s concerns that challenges may be made if prejudicial content or evidence is widely seen.

Families of those killed while attending the match at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground yesterday welcomed the announcement of the charges, which may be added to as the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the police’s own Operation Resolve are still investigating further complaints.

The most serious charge is against former Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, match commander on the day of the disaster who is accused of the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 individuals – the 96th victim Tony Bland died four years after being injured at Hillsborough and for legal reasons his death will not feature in the charge.

Sir Norman Bettison, a former chief inspector and superintendent with South Yorkshire Police and subsequently Chief Constable of Merseyside and West Yorkshire Police is charged with misconduct in public office related to alleged lies about his involvement in the aftermath of Hillsborough and the culpability of Liverpool fans.

Peter Metcalf, the solicitor acting for South Yorkshire Police in 1989, is charged with perverting the course of justice. He is alleged to have made “material changes to police officers’ accounts for which there appears to be no justification”.

Former Chief Superintendent Donald Denton, and former Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster are charged with perverting the course of justice for their involvement in the amendment process.

The then Sheffield Wednesday FC Secretary Graham Mackrell is charged with contravention of terms of the Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975.

Announcing the charges, Sue Hemming, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, made the announcement to families of the deceased at a private meeting in Warrington this morning.

She said: “Following our careful review of the evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to charge six individuals with criminal offences.

“Criminal proceedings have now commenced and the defendants have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

She added: “We will allege that David Duckenfield’s failures to discharge his personal responsibility were extraordinarily bad and contributed substantially to the deaths of each of those 96 people who so tragically and unnecessarily lost their lives.”

IPCC Deputy Chair Rachel Cerfontyne said: “The CPS has announced charging decisions on six of the eight suspects formally referred by the IPCC in January this year. We have also referred a further two individuals. “We will be working closely with the CPS on the prosecution case and provide any further assistance necessary while decisions on the remaining IPCC files are under consideration.

“Following criminal proceedings, we will consider whether any former police officers, including all of those referred to the CPS for a charging decision, would have had cases to answer for misconduct if they were still serving. The evidence supporting these findings will be set out in the final investigation report.”

Summing up the relatives’ feelings, Lee Fallon, brother-in-law of victim Andrew Sefton, said: “There is a sense of relief among families, and we have to wait and see what the outcome will be.”