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| Hillsborough files may be opened | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Calls for secret files about the Hillsborough disaster to be made public 10 years early have been backed by the home secretary. | Calls for secret files about the Hillsborough disaster to be made public 10 years early have been backed by the home secretary. |
| Jacqui Smith supported calls by culture secretary Andy Burnham for a disclosure of the material - which has been locked away for 20 years. | Jacqui Smith supported calls by culture secretary Andy Burnham for a disclosure of the material - which has been locked away for 20 years. |
| South Yorkshire police denied reports that its Chief Constable had discussed the matter with Ms Smith. | South Yorkshire police denied reports that its Chief Constable had discussed the matter with Ms Smith. |
| The force said it had already offered to review all its material. | The force said it had already offered to review all its material. |
| Evidence from the police, council and ambulance services are contained in the documents, which were supposed to remain undisclosed to the public for 30 years. | Evidence from the police, council and ambulance services are contained in the documents, which were supposed to remain undisclosed to the public for 30 years. |
| Relatives of the football fans who died hope the documents will support their belief that the emergency services could have done more to save some of the victims. | Relatives of the football fans who died hope the documents will support their belief that the emergency services could have done more to save some of the victims. |
| The release of the files will now depend on talks involving the Justice Ministry, the Attorney General's office and other organisations. | The release of the files will now depend on talks involving the Justice Ministry, the Attorney General's office and other organisations. |
| 'Full picture' | 'Full picture' |
| Trevor Hicks, of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: "I am pleased, it's better late than never. | Trevor Hicks, of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: "I am pleased, it's better late than never. |
| Trevor Hicks: "We hope government throws Pandora's box open" | |
| "This will enable us to see the full picture of events in a way that we have been denied for 20 years. | "This will enable us to see the full picture of events in a way that we have been denied for 20 years. |
| "It is vital that these files are released in full and not sanitised in anyway." | "It is vital that these files are released in full and not sanitised in anyway." |
| He also requested that the families are given time to view the documents before they are made public. | He also requested that the families are given time to view the documents before they are made public. |
| "Some of the documents are bound to contain information about the manner in which our loved ones died, their medical conditions and so on. | "Some of the documents are bound to contain information about the manner in which our loved ones died, their medical conditions and so on. |
| "I think it's best if we learn of that ourselves and not through other parties." | "I think it's best if we learn of that ourselves and not through other parties." |
| Culture secretary Andy Burnham was heckled as campaigners shouted "Justice for the 96" at the Hillsborough memorial service on Wednesday. | Culture secretary Andy Burnham was heckled as campaigners shouted "Justice for the 96" at the Hillsborough memorial service on Wednesday. |
| Following the service, he called for "full disclosure" of all evidence on the Hillsborough disaster. | Following the service, he called for "full disclosure" of all evidence on the Hillsborough disaster. |
| Kevin Robinson: 'We just want the facts about what happened' | Kevin Robinson: 'We just want the facts about what happened' |
| Kevin Robinson, chairman of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign added: "The memorial service on Wednesday, I think had an affect on Andy Burham, the culture secretary. | Kevin Robinson, chairman of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign added: "The memorial service on Wednesday, I think had an affect on Andy Burham, the culture secretary. |
| "He saw how the pain was still there and he heard the chants for justice, it is high time the government realised that something should be done." | "He saw how the pain was still there and he heard the chants for justice, it is high time the government realised that something should be done." |
| Inquest ruling | Inquest ruling |
| Evidence was examined during the original inquest, in which the coroner ruled all victims had sustained their fatal injuries by 3.15pm, based on advice from pathologists. | Evidence was examined during the original inquest, in which the coroner ruled all victims had sustained their fatal injuries by 3.15pm, based on advice from pathologists. |
| As a result, he did not hear any evidence of what happened after that point - but many bereaved families believe their loved ones could have still been alive and they want a fresh inquiry. | As a result, he did not hear any evidence of what happened after that point - but many bereaved families believe their loved ones could have still been alive and they want a fresh inquiry. |
| Sheffield MP Clive Betts was the leader of Sheffield City Council at the time of the disaster. | Sheffield MP Clive Betts was the leader of Sheffield City Council at the time of the disaster. |
| He welcomed the calls for the early release of the papers but said he believed the council documents would reveal little that was new. | He welcomed the calls for the early release of the papers but said he believed the council documents would reveal little that was new. |
| He said: "I think the council . . .was upfront at the time in terms of officers explaining precisely what they had done in terms of inspecting and licensing of the ground before the disaster." | He said: "I think the council . . .was upfront at the time in terms of officers explaining precisely what they had done in terms of inspecting and licensing of the ground before the disaster." |