Hillsborough 96 and campaigners to receive Freedom of Liverpool
The 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster and key figures in the 27-year fight for truth will be awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool, it has been announced.
The highest civic honour available to the city will be handed out to the families whose long battle for justice culminated with the delivery of the verdicts of fresh inquests last month.
And, for the first time ever, the Freedom of the City will be awarded posthumously as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives at the FA Cup semi-final meeting between LFC and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.
Right Reverend James Jones, the now-retired former Bishop of Liverpool who chaired the Hillsborough Independent Panel, long-standing campaigner Professor Phil Scraton, and Kenny and Marina Dalglish are among those set to be honoured.
Reflecting on the news, Margaret Aspinall CBE, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the city has chosen to honour the 96 in this way as it is a wonderful tribute to their memory.
"I couldn’t be any more thrilled that Bishop James, Phil Scraton and Kenny and Marina are also being recognised as they have all given fantastic support to the families in their own special way over the years and they thoroughly deserve this honour."
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson added: "The fight for truth and justice over the last 27 years has involved many people, not least the families of the 96 who we honoured with the Freedom of the City back in 2009.
"Today we are announcing that we want to bestow the honour on those who died, together with a number of people who have played a pivotal role over many, many years - not just in the Hillsborough campaign, but who, through their actions, have enhanced the life of the city as well.
"It has needed tremendous diligence and persistence to demolish the wall of lies that was cruelly created by the establishment to deflect blame for the tragedy away from those that were really responsible.
"The individuals we will be honouring have played a crucial role in righting of the biggest wrongs seen in recent British history.
"We are also, in truly exceptional circumstances, posthumously awarding the Freedom of the City to the 96 innocent people who the whole world now knows paid the ultimate price for the failings and actions of others, and who have been disgracefully smeared over many years."