Attorney General to review Hillsborough case
The Attorney General today pledged to review the case for a second inquest into the death of Kevin Williams at Hillsborough following a Parliament debate at Westminster.
More than 100,000 people signed an online petition last month calling for the case into the 15-year-old's death to be re-opened.
The issue was debated by MPs in Westminster Hall, where Kevin's mother, Anne, watched from the gallery.
Kevin, from Formby, is one of the 96 people who died during the Hillsborough disaster, which occurred when Liverpool travelled to Sheffield to contest the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
The original inquest in 1991 returned a verdict of accidental death, ruling that all the victims were dead by 3.15pm.
However, Anne set up the e-petition calling on the government to open a new inquest, claiming Kevin was still alive at 4pm and did not die from traumatic asphyxia.
Dominic Grieve, the Government's top law officer, confirmed he would review evidence again and consider an application to the High Court for a fresh inquest - but admitted no decision could be made until the Hillsborough Panel had reviewed all documents first.
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 are set to review all documents relating to the disaster and produce a report on their 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."