Hillsborough petition collects 100,000 signatures

An e-petition calling on the Government to publish Cabinet papers about the Hillsborough disaster has become the second to hit 100,000 signatures.

Footballer Joey Barton led a campaign on Twitter which boosted support for the release of all documents about Margaret Thatcher’s discussions on the 1989 tragedy, which saw 96 Liverpool fans crushed to death at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium.

The Newcastle United player, who grew up on Merseyside, was joined by footballer Michael Owen, musician Billy Bragg, actor Simon Pegg and comedian Dara O’Briain in calling for the Government to follow a ruling by information commissioner Christopher Graham that the papers should now be made public.

Mr Graham ruled it was in the public interest for minutes of a cabinet meeting chaired by the then Prime Minister shortly after the disaster to be disclosed.

But the Cabinet Office has said it will appeal against the decision in order to allow the Hillsborough Independent Panel, established by the previous government to look into the circumstances and aftermath of the disaster, to oversee the disclosure of documents.

Under the Government’s new e-petition rules, the Commons backbench business committee must consider allotting time for a debate on any campaign that attracts more than 100,000 supporters.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “The e-petition has now reached 100,000 signatures and the Government will notify the Backbench Business Committee in the House of Commons in order that the Committee can consider its suitability for debate when Parliament returns in September.

“The e-petition will remain live, and people will be able to continue adding their signatures. The Government will respond to those who have signed the e-petition in due course.”

The petition is the second to pass the 100,000 mark. A call for convicted London rioters to lose all their benefits was the first, and it is still the most popular item on the e-petitions website, having attracted nearly 220,000 signatures.

Hillsborough remains the worst stadium tragedy in British history. In addition to the 96 deaths, 766 people were injured after fans became trapped behind metal barriers.

Lord Justice Taylor’s report into the disaster said South Yorkshire Police’s control of the situation “broke down” and added: “The main reason for the disaster was the failure of police control.”

A spokesman for the Hillsborough Independent Panel said: “Following recent media coverage of the Cabinet Office’s decision to appeal the release of Cabinet Office papers concerning the Hillsborough disaster, the Hillsborough Independent Panel affirms its independence of government in carrying out its research, publishing an analytical report and establishing a comprehensive public archive of documents and other materials.

“The panel is grateful for the continuing support of the Hillsborough families in taking forward its unique and important work.”