Hope for families as MPs finally debate Hillsborough disaster
By politics.co.uk staff
MPs will debate the release of documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster tonight, in a seminal moment for families of the victims.
The debate was triggered by one of the government's new e-petititons, which secured the support of over 139,000 people.
Families and campaigners want previously secret documents released into the public domain, particularly those dealing with communications between then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher and South Yorkshire police.
Political and media pressure in the wake of the disaster blamed the crowds, but a later inquiry under Lord Justice Taylor raised concerns about the design of the ground and the conduct of the police.
The Hillsborough disaster, which took place during a 1989 FA Cup semi-final tie between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, was the deadliest sporting disaster in British history.
In its aftermath, standing terraces were abolished in Scotland and England.
Nick Clegg said he was personally committed to the release of 40,000 documents relating to the event in the Commons last week, although he wants the families of the victims to get first sight before full public disclosure.
Downing Street backed up that pledge today, although details of how and when the documents would be released were not forthcoming.
If the government follows through on Mr Clegg's statement, it would first hand the documents to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, a body established by Labour to oversee disclosure in 2009.
Tonight's debate starts at 19:00 BST.
