Families of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster are to call for a review of the decision not to prosecute former police chief Sir Norman Bettison over alleged lies he told following the tragedy.

Sir Norman, who was a chief inspector of South Yorkshire Police at the time of the crush in 1989, had been due to face trial next year but the case against him was discontinued on Tuesday.

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: “We have grave concerns about the handling of this case by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and can confirm that we will be exercising our right to an independent review under the right to review scheme.

“It is our view that the wrong charge was brought in the first place and we will be using the review process to argue this point strongly.”

Sir Norman, the former Merseyside and West Yorkshire chief constable, had been charged with four counts of misconduct in a public office.

He was accused of untruthfully describing his role in the response as “peripheral” in a comment to then-chief inspector of constabulary Sir David O’Dowd, in 1998, when he applied for the job of chief constable in Merseyside.

But at a Preston Crown Court hearing on Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service said the proceedings would be discontinued.

In a statement, the CPS said there was “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction” following a “number of significant developments” in the available evidence.

“These include changes in the evidence of two witnesses and the death of a third witness,” Sue Hemming, CPS director of legal services, said.

She added: “I appreciate this news will be disappointing for the families and the CPS will meet with them in person to explain the decision.”

Margaret Aspinall on Hillsborough charges: This is the beginning of the end

Speaking outside court, Lou Brookes, whose brother Andrew, 26, was one of the 96 victims of the tragedy, said: “I will certainly be pursuing my right to a review, a full and independent review, under the victims’ right to review scheme.”

Steve Kelly, the brother of victim Michael, 38, said: “I’m absolutely devastated. I feel as if I’ve been beaten up this morning.”

Sir Norman was also accused of lying to Merseyside Police Authority when he said he had never attempted to shift blame for the disaster “on to the shoulders of Liverpool supporters”.

He was alleged to have lied in a statement issued in September 2012, following the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report, when he said he had never offered any interpretation other than that the behaviour of Liverpool fans did not cause the disaster.

Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Show all 8 1 /8 Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Liverpool fans try and pull their fellow supporters out of the crush at Hillsborough stadium, 15 April 1989. Ninety-six fans were crushed to death and hundreds injured after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest Richard Sellers Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Football fans are rushed away on a stretcher at Hillsborough stadium, 15 April 1989. Ninety-six fans were crushed to death and hundreds injured after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest AFP/Getty Hillsborough Disaster 1989 The Sun has been boycotted in Liverpool since this edition, which lied about the behaviour of Liverpool fans on the day Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Hillsborough Memorial tributes lie on the pitch during the memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster, at Anfield Stadium on April 15, 2016 in Liverpool, England. Thousands of fans, friends and relatives attended the service at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives during a crush at an FA Cup semi final against Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough football ground in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1989 Liverpool FC via Getty Images Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Barry Devonside leaves Parr Hall, Warrington, where the Crown Prosecution Service has said, Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison and four other individuals have been charged with offences relating to the Hillsborough disaster. PA Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Family members react after the families of the 96 Hillsborough victims were told the decision that the Crown Prosecution Service will proceed with criminal charges and six people have been charged with criminal offences, including Ex-Ch Supt David Duckenfield and Sir Norman Bettison on June 28, 2017 in Warrington, England. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed its intentions at a meeting with victims' relatives. Last year's inquests into the Hillsborough disaster concluded the 96 fans had been unlawfully killed Getty Images Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Norman Bettison was charged with four counts of misconduct in a public office. He was found to have lied on four separate occasions about his role in the deaths and when he claimed he never blamed Liverpool supporters for the disaster PA Hillsborough Disaster 1989 Former South Yorkshire Police match commander David Duckenfield is currently on trial for the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans. Reuters

And he was accused of misconduct over a statement released the following day in which he said he had never “besmirched” Liverpool fans.

Sir Norman was charged after the Independent Police Complaints Commission carried out the biggest criminal investigation into alleged police misconduct ever seen in England and Wales.

Five other men, including Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, are due to face trial over offences related to the disaster next year.