by GYBS » Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:55 am
Minister backs Hillsborough call
Minister heckled at Hillsborough service
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has called for a "full disclosure" of all evidence on the Hillsborough Disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans died.
The victims were crushed to death during Liverpool's FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989.
Mr Burnham made his comments after being heckled by angry fans at an emotional memorial service at Anfield on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy.
The families are still fighting for a full inquiry into the disaster.
On the day of the tragedy, Liverpool supporters were in the Leppings Lane of the Sheffield stadium.
The public interest lies very clearly in full disclosure
Andy Burnham, Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport
South Yorkshire Police, which oversaw the event, opened a large exit gate which forced too many Liverpool fans on to the terrace, leaving the fans inside trapped between people entering the ground and the metal fences at the front of the stand.
During the memorial service on Wednesday, fans chanted "Justice for the 96" during Mr Burnham's speech.
Mr Burnham, Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "If there is further information held by public bodies relevant to the tragedy that has not yet been published then it should be.
"I believe now the public interest lies very clearly in full disclosure of all such information, so that the families and others can make their judgement on all the facts."
The Hillsborough Families Support Group have led a two-decade long campaign to have the events which led to the deaths fully investigated, despite previous inquiries.
At the service, attended by 25,000 people, Trevor Hicks, the former chairman of the group, vowed the fight for justice would continue.
As he address the mourning fans, he added: "Still together, still determined, still resolved as ever that the truth will defeat the lies and propaganda."
The government minster, a life-long Everton fan, recalled hearing of the rival team's tragedy at Hillsborough while attending Everton's FA Cup tie on the same day.
Watched the Mc Govern Hillsboro Programme last night - just as harrowing as it was when i first watched it .
