It was announced at the Hillsborough Memorial Service yesterday at Anfield, that the Iraqi Minister of Information, Mr Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf was trained by the South Yorkshire Police Force at some point in his career. This is no joke, and it was announced by Mr Trevor Hicks the chairman of the ex Hillsborough Families Support Group at the service.

It is not surprising to hear that a UK Police force, particularly South Yorkshire Police, were involved in training the Iraqi Hierarchy. Given the fact that South Yorkshire Police were themselves experts at manipulating the facts to suit their own purposes, it's likely that many dictatorships throughout the World were interested in the British Police's expertise in a number of matters. This Country was always willing to export arms and even instruments of torture for many Police Forces throughout the World. Why not train them to use this equipment? That way 'we' get paid twice.

Trevor Hicks also used the occasion to berate fans for invading football pitches. It's becoming a tradition of Mr Hick's to have more of a go at issues like this at the annual remembrance service in Anfield. Trevor has also used his position to oppose any calls by fans for a reintroduction of safe terracing. Trevor falls into a trap when opposing terracing, as it gives credibility to the 'unsafe terraces' excuse which has always been a fallback for the Police and others in the matter of Hillsborough. Blame the terraces, and the reasons for the disaster become muddled. Maybe the Police weren't to blame? Maybe a few tons of concrete caused the deaths? The Terraces are a convenient scapegoat and one which the Police knew to drag out and use.

Mr Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, the Iraqi Minister, was basically a spokesman for the Saddam Regime. He was a former Ice Seller in Baghdad, and the information he gave us, became more surreal as the 'War' went on in Iraq. Trevor Hicks himself is no stranger to twisting the truth now and again. Whilst many see him as the face of the Hillsborough struggle, those of us on Merseyside who pay attention to matters could tell you that far from being a hero, he actually sought to do a deal with the Sun newspaper back in 1998. He met with them privately and tried to get the Hillsborough Family Support Group to back a vote to do a deal for the 10th anniversary with the Sun newspaper. We all heard the deal was going to be for the £96,000 to be put in the coffers of the Families Group. It may as well have been 30 pieces of silver.