A Keighley businessman who lost two daughters in the Hillsborough disaster says he has been left 'totally devastated' by the announcement that there will be no fresh public inquiry into the tragedy.

Trevor Hicks, chairman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said relatives were disgusted by New Labour's 'cynical betrayal'.

And he vowed to stand as a candidate against Labour MPs in the forthcoming elections. Speaking in London shortly after Home Secretary Jack Straw's Commons statement yesterday, Mr Hicks - who works for Keighley beer pump firm England Worthside - said the Labour Party had indicated before the last election that it would re-open the inquiry.

He added that there was not a shred of comfort for the families in Mr Straw's report which insisted the findings of Lord Justice Taylor's original inquiry were still valid. Mr Hicks said: "We are disappointed with the report. It is a better whitewash than last time, it has just been better done."

Phil Hammond, vice-chairman of the group, who lost a son at Hillsborough has vowed to stand against Liverpool MP George Haworth if the Government failed to deliver the families' demands.

Mr Hicks said: "If Phil Hammond is not well enough to stand I will stand against him myself."

He said the group would stand an 'array' of candidates against Labour in the forthcoming elections and reiterated the determination of relatives to bring a private prosecution against senior police officers in charge of policing the match.

Mr Straw had earlier told MPs a scrutiny of alleged new video tape and medical evidence by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith had not added 'anything significant' to the material available at the previous public inquiry.

But he admitted that the inquest system should never be used again for disasters like Hillsborough.

The 1989 tragedy claimed the lives of 96 football fans. Among the victims was 22-year-old Tony Bland from Keighley.

His life support machine was switched off in 1993 after Law Lords ruled doctors at Airedale General Hospital could not be charged with murder if they withdrew the food which was keeping him alive.

The decision ended months of torment for his parents Allen and Barbara Bland who had campaigned for their son to die with dignity.

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