Source: Telegraph
Bishop of Liverpool heads Hillsborough panel
The Hillsborough Independent Panel, a five-strong committee, will make public hundreds of thousands of documents held by police and other agencies relating to the 1989 disaster in which 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives. [LNB]Home Secretary Alan Johnson described the move as a 'big step forward' while Bishop Jones said he would dedicate himself 'wholeheartedly' to the panel's work. [LNB] Related ArticlesCarragher: Fight for justiceTwo decades of hurtHillsborough anniversaryHillsborough Memorial gameHillsborough timelineSport on television"To be entrusted with this highly sensitive task by the Home Secretary is a humbling responsibility,' he said. [LNB]"I want to assure especially the Hillsborough families I will give myself wholeheartedly to the work of the Independent Panel. [LNB]"The fact that 30,000 people came to Anfield for the Hillsborough 20th anniversary service shows how deep the wound is still, and how great the longing is for healing. [LNB]"I am very aware that although many have waited years for this Independent Panel, the recalling of 15th April 1989 will nevertheless be a very painful and difficult time for all who were affected and for the cities of Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham." [LNB]The Government promised to release the files in July following renewed pressure from the Hillsborough Families Support Group, who welcomed the appointment of Bishop Jones , saying: "The Rt Reverend James Jones is a respected man of the cloth and we look forward to his impartial leadership of the panel in their difficult task.'[LNB]"The remaining members of the panel are still 'work in progress' and we will continue to work with government to ensure the panel is suitably balanced and experienced to ensure a fair and proper process."[LNB]
