More light shed in inquest

London - The police chief at the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster has admitted on Tuesday that his failure to close a tunnel was the "direct cause" of the deaths of 96 Liverpool supporters.

David Duckenfield had earlier told an inquest that it was his decision to open an exit gate that allowed fans to stream into two already packed pens at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground, causing a fatal crush.

Asked by a lawyer representing Britain's Police Federation if the failure to close the tunnel leading to the pens had been the direct cause of the tragedy, Duckenfield replied: "Yes sir."