2:00pm UK, Sunday April 19, 2009
Hundreds of previously unseen files about Britain's deadliest sporting tragedy - Hillsborough - are to be released by police.
The 20th anniversary of the tragedy was marked on Wednesday last week
Ninety-six Liverpool fans died in a crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on 15 April, 1989 in an FA Cup semi final.
After the 20th anniversary of the tragedy last week, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham promised to look at suspending 30-year secrecy rules into official documents.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith met South Yorkshire's chief constable Meredydd Hughes to discuss the matter and her request has been accepted.
Families of the victims, who have repeatedly asked for the documents to be made public and long campaigned for a fresh inquiry, welcomed the news.
Andy Burnham on Hillsborough
Survivor Andy McGrath told Sky News: "I'm cautious about it because we have seen these chinks of light before but this time there does seem to be a different attitude among many people."
"I was in the crowd when Andy Burnham was heckled on Wednesday, that was just because people are so passionate about it, if something comes from
what he has done then he should get full credit."
The files the families are desperate to see include statements taken from ambulance drivers on the day.
Only one ambulance made it onto the pitch while others were lined up outside the ground after police told them they could not go in because the fans were fighting.
One of the victims: James Aspinall
In fact almost 100 fans were being crushed to death, many more were injured. The one ambulance was unable to cope with so many requests for help.
Other documents still not seen include original police statements and accounts from staff at Sheffield Wednesday, the club hosting the match that day between Liverpool and Nottigham Forest.
The families are also keen to see the minutes of a meeting between then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and senior police officers which they say took place on the morning after the disaster.
If the documents are released it is likely to intensify calls in Liverpool for a fresh inquiry, for the families it would be a big step towards
closure after two decades of hurt.
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During the memorial service on Wednesday i had the distinct impression that Andy Burnham wanted to add something to his speech but couldn't.� I saw
his interviews on Sky and ITV after the service and his responses and body language to me reaffirmed my gut feeling that he wanted to add something but
wasn't able/allowed to at the time.� Minutes of certain meetings etc, if not 'lost' or 'destroyed' already,�could be of great
interest and potential consequence for the police force and Thatcher's governments response.
