Hillsborough documents to be released

By Natasia Moore

Comments

The Government has been ordered to publish documents revealing the discussions held by Margaret Thatcher about the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives.

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham ruled that the information was in the public interest.

In a decision notice, he said: 

`Support for disclosure of information relating to the Hillsborough disaster was expressed by the previous government and has been reconfirmed by the current Government, and the commissioner also believes that the specific content of the information in question would add to public knowledge and understanding about the reaction of various parties to that event, including the government of the day, in the early aftermath.''

Ninety-six Liverpool fans died in the crush at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989, where the club was playing an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

An inquiry found that the main reason for overcrowding was the failure of police control.

The commissioner's judgment may still be subject to an appeal, which would need to be lodged with the First-tier Tribunal within 28 days. If there is no appeal, the Cabinet Office has 35 days to comply with the order.