NEW Home Secretary Alan Johnson has agreed to meet Merseyside MPs to discuss how and when the Hillsborough files can be released.
He has accepted that it is "high time" that the uncertainties suffered by the families of the victims are brought to an end.
His predecessor Jacqui Smith, prompted by fellow Cabinet minister Andy Burnham, had already agreed in principle to dropping the 30-year secrecy rule on Home Office and police documents relevant to the Sheffield disaster 20 years ago.
Mr Johnson's decision to meet the MPs has allayed fears that the recent ministerial reshuffle would delay or threaten that release.
The invitation to meet him in his Commons office on Wednesday afternoon has been sent to all city-region MPs by Halton's Derek Twigg, who has acted as go-between.
Mr Twigg said: "We are determined to find out how much progress has been made to date towards releasing these files. We want to make sure that the government moves as quickly as possible in getting the information out to the Hillsborough, fans and supporters and the wider public."
