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Hillsborough files may be opened
Ninety six Liverpool fans were killed at the FA Cup semi-final
Secret files on the Hillsborough disaster could be made public 10 years early after a request from the home secretary.
Jacqui Smith has asked South Yorkshire Police to release the documents, which contain detailed evidence of what happened during the tragedy in 1989.
It could help families of the 96 victims who want a new inquiry.
Ms Smith has met South Yorkshire Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes to discuss the records.
Joan Traynor, 76, who lost her two sons, Christopher, 26, and Kevin, 16, in the disaster, welcomed the move.
She said: "At last something might be done and at last there might be a chance that the truth could be out.
"After years of campaigning I feel like something might happen. We have felt nothing but injustice and the only way we can get justice for our loved ones is if these files are made public and a fresh inquiry is opened."
Inquest ruling
The files contain evidence from the police, local council and the ambulance service. Documents like this are usually not made public for 30 years, but the home secretary has intervened two decades after the disaster.
Evidence was examined during the original inquest, in which the coroner ruled all victims had sustained their fatal injuries by 3.15pm, based on advice from pathologists.
As a result, he did not hear any evidence of what happened after that point - but many bereaved families believe their loved ones could have still been alive and they want a fresh inquiry.
Culture secretary Andy Burnham was heckled as campaigners shouted "Justice for the 96" at the Hillsborough memorial service on Wednesday.
Council was 'upfront'
Following the service, he called for "full disclosure" of all evidence on the Hillsborough disaster.
Sheffield MP Clive Betts was the leader of Sheffield City Council at the time of the disaster.
He welcomed the early release of the papers but said he believed the council documents would reveal little that was new.
He said: "I think the council . . .was upfront at the time in terms of officers explaining precisely what they had done in terms of inspecting and licensing of the ground before the disaster."
.........ABOUT TIME......
Hillsborough files may be opened
Ninety six Liverpool fans were killed at the FA Cup semi-final
Secret files on the Hillsborough disaster could be made public 10 years early after a request from the home secretary.
Jacqui Smith has asked South Yorkshire Police to release the documents, which contain detailed evidence of what happened during the tragedy in 1989.
It could help families of the 96 victims who want a new inquiry.
Ms Smith has met South Yorkshire Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes to discuss the records.
Joan Traynor, 76, who lost her two sons, Christopher, 26, and Kevin, 16, in the disaster, welcomed the move.
She said: "At last something might be done and at last there might be a chance that the truth could be out.
"After years of campaigning I feel like something might happen. We have felt nothing but injustice and the only way we can get justice for our loved ones is if these files are made public and a fresh inquiry is opened."
Inquest ruling
The files contain evidence from the police, local council and the ambulance service. Documents like this are usually not made public for 30 years, but the home secretary has intervened two decades after the disaster.
Evidence was examined during the original inquest, in which the coroner ruled all victims had sustained their fatal injuries by 3.15pm, based on advice from pathologists.
As a result, he did not hear any evidence of what happened after that point - but many bereaved families believe their loved ones could have still been alive and they want a fresh inquiry.
Culture secretary Andy Burnham was heckled as campaigners shouted "Justice for the 96" at the Hillsborough memorial service on Wednesday.
Council was 'upfront'
Following the service, he called for "full disclosure" of all evidence on the Hillsborough disaster.
Sheffield MP Clive Betts was the leader of Sheffield City Council at the time of the disaster.
He welcomed the early release of the papers but said he believed the council documents would reveal little that was new.
He said: "I think the council . . .was upfront at the time in terms of officers explaining precisely what they had done in terms of inspecting and licensing of the ground before the disaster."
.........ABOUT TIME......
