QC warns Hillsborough prosecutions 'unlikely'

Mr Knowles, who has previously advised the Hillsborough Family Support Group, also questioned whether new inquests will be possible.

Writing in The Lawyer magazine, Mr Knowles said: "The passage of time and the complexity of the process by which the statements were altered are likely to present real difficulties for the director of public prosecutions when (his team) reviews the report's findings to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute.

"The fact the editing process was done on legal advice will also raise difficulties of legal professional privilege which might prove insurmountable."