HFSG: Our faith in Panel
The Hillsborough Family Support Group today moved to allay concerns about the release of information relating to the 1989 disaster.
Chair Margaret Aspinall, who lost her son James in the tragedy, has reassured supporters that the process of disclosure currently being overseen by the Hillsborough Independent Panel continues to run smoothly.
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She said: "We thank people for their concern and the amazing support but the Hillsborough Family Support Group are not unduly worried by yesterday's decision by the Cabinet Office to appeal the public release of the 1989 cabinet papers.
"In fact, rather than the piecemeal release of information, we believe that the Hillsborough Independent Panel remains the correct channel through which these documents should be processed and are confident that the Panel will have access to all the information it needs to carry out its duties.
"We have faith that the documents in question will be released to the Panel in due course and that the bereaved families will be among the first to see these documents. While the cabinet documents are obviously important, they are just one piece of the jigsaw that the Panel is putting together to tell the whole truth about Hillsborough.
"Once again we've been left humbled by the sheer numbers of people who continue to support us. This support is overwhelming and gives us the strength to carry on our fight. As soon as we have any further news to report or comment to make, we will of course let the fans know."
Mrs Aspinall's sentiments were echoed by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish at a pre-match press conference at Melwood on Thursday morning.
He told reporters: "The Hillsborough Family Support Group and the people who are looking after them, the Panel, will have total access to all papers and disclosures of everything that Andy Burnham set up two years ago.
"The most important people in the whole process are the families, and the families seem pretty relaxed about it. Margaret Aspinall spoke today, and she's very relaxed about it. They're getting full cooperation - the government want to give them full cooperation - and I don't see any problem.
"That's all I am going to say about it. We've been through Hillsborough many times before and we don't want the families to go through anything (more).
"They've made great progress since Andy Burnham came up here two years ago and said he would do his best to try and get them early access to these papers.
"He's been as good as his word. The process is being adhered to and the families are happy with the access they're getting."