The first UK e-petition to lead to a Parliament debate was held yesterday after over 140,000 UK citizens signed up for the Government to release all documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster.
Steve Rotheram opens the Hillsborough debate
A 4 hour debate was approved and was opened in the House of Commons by Steve Rotheram, the MP of the Liverpool Walton constituency in which Anfield resides.
The former Lord Mayor of Liverpool spoke passionately for 28 minutes.
“I call on the prime minister to make a statement in this house and apologise for the mistakes that were made and the mishandling of this whole tragedy on behalf of a previous government.
He was moved to tears as he read the names of all 96 supporters who were killed at Hillsborough and attacked the “smears” and “establishment cover-up” which led to fans initially being blamed for the disaster.
“Instead of those at fault taking responsibility for their actions, a co-ordinated campaign began to shift the blame and look for scapegoats.
“It is claimed that truth is the first casualty of war, but the same can be said of Hillsborough.
“Misdirection, obfuscation and damned lies were all used as smokescreens to deflect attention away from the guilty.”
Theresa May, the Secretary of State, present in such a backbench debate for the first time since a debate on the Falklands war, said:
“I will do everything in my power to ensure the families and the public get the truth.
“No government papers will be withheld from the panel, no attempts to suppress publication will be made, no stone left unturned.”
A number of MP’s including Clive Betts, a Sheffield MP who was at the game in his capacity as Mayor of Sheffield, and both local and national MP’s also spoke with passion against what is widely perceived to be an establishment cover up. The media, in particular The Sun newspaper, its owners News International and the former editor Kelvin MacKenzie were singled out in particular for their horrific and false coverage.
Andy Burnham singled out the press treatment.
“It was an unbelievable act of brutality against the 96 fans.”
Many campaigners and family of the Liverpool fans made the trip down to Parliament to watch from the public gallery.
MP’s agreed at the end of the debate, without needing a vote, that there should be full, uncensored disclosure of government-related documents concerning the disaster 22 years ago.
The Hillsborough panel looking in to all the documents relating to the disaster is expected to announce its findings in 2012.
>> You can watch the full debate online here