SEVEN people appointed to sit on the historic Hillsborough files panel last night spoke of their honour at being selected.

Their closely-guarded identities were publicly unveiled by ministers at the House of Commons yesterday. The seven people cover a range of disciplines from police, health, archiving, media and three people with strong links to Liverpool. They are:

Phil Scraton, professor of criminology at Queen’s University, Belfast, and writer of the acclaimed The Truth book on the 1989 disaster;

Katy Jones, television and factual producer on Jimmy McGovern’s renowned drama documentary, Hillsborough;

Liverpool-born newsreader, journalist and former host of Question Time show Peter Sissons.

Paul Leighton CBE, former Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

Dr Bill Kirkup, CBE, formerly Associate Medical Director, Department of Health;

Christine Gifford, member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Public Sector Information;

Sarah Tyacke, former Chief Executive of the National Archives and Keeper of the Public Records.

Last night, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “The new panellists are all experts in their field and will bring a range of vital skills to the work of the Hillsborough independent panel. I am delighted they have accepted the responsibility of assisting Bishop James in releasing papers surrounding the terrible tragedy.”

Bishop of Liverpool Rt Rev James Jones, who is chairing the panel, said: “Great thought has been given to the set of skills needed to do this important work.ŠI am so pleased that my colleagues have agreed to join the panel and dedicate themselves to this major task. Together they provide excellent skills for the serious work of overseeing the disclosure of the documents.”