Hillsborough Case to be reviewed

The Attorney General vowed today to have another look at the case into Kevin Williams death at Hillsborough following political debates at Westminster.

Over 100,000 individuals put their signatures on an online petition at the beginning of the year called for the 15-year-old’s death and his subsequent case to be reviewed

MPs in Westminster Hall debated the delicate topic with Kevin’s mother, Anne, in attendance.

The Formby youngster was one of the 96 people who died during the Hillsborough disaster when Liverpool took part in the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in Sheffield.

The initial inquest in 1991 met a verdict that cited ‘accidental death’ indicating all victims were dead by 3.15pm.

Kevin’s mother Anne was in disagreement and it led her to set up the e-petition urging the government to take another look at the case as she believes her son was still alive at 4pm.

A top law officer in the government, Dominic Grieve, has even agreed to review the evidence with an application to the High Court likely to arise. He did mention that all documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster must be reviewed first by the designated panel.

Mr Grieve said: "The only way a second inquest can be held into the death of Kevin Williams, or anyone else who died that day, is if the High Court quashes the original inquest and orders a second inquest to be held.

"The court will only order a new inquest if it is considered a test under the Coroner's Act is met. Essentially that is where an inquest is necessary or desirable in the interests of justice. My role is to consider the available evidence and determine whether there is a reasonable prospect of the court granting a new inquest. I act as a filter.

"I will consider this further in light of points made in this debate today. I'm minded to approach the case by awaiting the release of that material... this means it will be necessary for me to delay reaching a decision until such time as the Hillsborough Panel has released the collected material and there has been sufficient time for the families to be able to consider it carefully."

The Hillsborough panel will look at all the documents again and will give a report based on any of their relevant findings.

Mr Grieve added: "I'm of course prepared to listen to any representations from Mrs Williams, or any interested parties, may wish to make on timing.

"No-one can fail to be moved by what happened on that fateful date in April 1989. I'm only too well aware of the strength of feeling this House holds about the tragic and needless deaths of so many men, women and children. As a man and a minister I share those feelings. As Attorney General, in which role I am here today, I cannot let sympathy alone sway any decision I reach.

"I act wholly independent of Government and I must reach my decision based on the evidence alone. I can promise to approach this with an open mind. If evidence supports application to the court, I will ensure this application is made."