Tributes to Hillsborough campaigner George Tomkins

The father-of-one was acquitted and made a formal complaint to West Midlands Police alleging he was set up by Detective Superin- tendent Stanley Beechey.

The senior officer was part of the force's disbanded Serious Crimes Squad amid allegations of police malpractice.

Mr Beechey was also involved in the Hillsborough inquiry, tasked with presenting the audio tapes of David Duckenfield and other officers for the inquests.

In 1996, George took out a civil claim against West Midlands Police, winning £40,000 compensation and £70,000 for his legal costs.

Today, his son Paul told the ECHO that his dad loved fighting for a good cause and never trusted the police after his alleged "fit-up".

He said: "His room was packed full of Hillsborough stuff, with files everywhere. He enjoyed fighting the police, it kept his brain young.

"I remember him saying to me, 'when you have police investigating police, they get away with a lot'.

"He started coughing some months ago and would get out of breath and have problems walking up the stairs.

"My dad was a really kind man who would do anything for anyone. We were all with him at the end."

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George, who had three brothers - Billy, Bertie and Derek - used to serve in the Kings Regiment and also made a name for himself as a champion boxer.

He was a firm friend of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, and spokeswoman Sheila Coleman said: "We are all saddened by his death.

"He was one of our best allies and I personally considered him a friend. He was passionate about fighting for the truth."

The pensioner was hoping to join campaigners for this weekend's March for Justice in London before his breathing difficulties mounted.

George joined Anne William's Hope for Hillsborough campaign to help her get answers about her 15-year-old son Kevin's death in Sheffield.

Anne said: "I met George through the Cook Report. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be where I am today - he pushed me on. He was never out of the library and he worked with me every step of the way.

"I knew George was ill, but to learn that he had died was still such a shock. He was the best friend I ever had."