HILLSBOROUGH mum Anne Williams’ hopes for a speedy inquest into her son’s death were today boosted as the Attorney General recognised the "additional urgency" due to her terminal illness.
Mrs Williams, 59, who has campaigned tirelessly for justice for more than two decades after losing 15-year- old son Kevin in 1989, has been unwell in recent months, only leaving hospital two days before the damning Independent Panel report was published in September.
On October 16, Attorney General Dominic Grieve announced he intended to apply to the High Court to overturn the discredited "accidental death" verdicts and order fresh inquests into the deaths of all 96 Liverpool fans who died at FA Cup semi-final.
But after Anne confirmed last month she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer supporters started an e-petition calling on the government to have a new inquest into Kevin's death brought forward.
And with more than 25,000 people signing the e-petition – smashing the 10,000 needed to prompt a Government response – Mr Grieve's office issued a statement saying he was "deeply saddened to hear of Anne Williams’ diagnosis".
It adds that Mr Grieve "continues to give this matter priority" and stresses that "he recognises the additional urgency this sad news brings to the process and will make his application as soon as he possibly can".
Anne has previously submitted three applications for a new inquest to the Attorney General, all of which were refused, and taken her case to the European Court of Human Rights.
The e-petition states: "We would like to give her something back for all the hard work and motherly love she has displayed over these 23 years."
The e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate in the Commons should it pass the 100,000 signature mark.
The petition can be found and signed at https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40925
