THE future of the Hillsborough panel has been confirmed by the Government.
Home Secretary Theresa May yesterday ended weeks of speculation that the committee formed to probe the hidden tragedy files could be under threat.
She revealed the work of the panel would continue, and not be scaled down, in a statement in the House of Commons yesterday.
It ends fears that the project was among the schemes being considered for the axe by the new coalition government to save money.
New Walton MP Steve Rotheram and Garston MP Maria Eagle both previously expressed doubts to the Daily Post that the new Tory/Lib-Dem alliance was as committed to the hidden files project as the previous Labour government.
But, in a statement to Westminster, Home Secretary May said: "The panel has the Government's full support in achieving maximum possible disclosure of the records, initially to the Hillsborough families and then publicly.
"No changes are to be made either to the panel's terms of reference or to its membership, which both remain as previously published.
"My meetings with the Bishop of Liverpool have confirmed to me both the importance of the panel's work and the diligence and professionalism with which is it carrying out its duty, and I am happy to confirm it will continue with our full support."
The Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Rev James Jones, called the announcement “crucial” in the step towards publication of the hundreds of thousands of papers.
He said the promise showed the Government viewed the panel’s work as “more important to party politics.”
He told the Daily Post: “This is a statement of backing from a new government, a pledge that we will be given the funding to deliver what the panel set out to do when it was formed five months ago.
“When I took the job of chairing the panel, I was never in doubt it would continue its work, no matter who won the up-coming election.
“In fact, I would never have taken on such a responsibility if I thought I would not be able to complete it.”
Eight experts are now sifting through documents relating to the tragedy in which 96 Liverpool FC fans lost their lives in Sheffield.
It could take another 18 months until the first documents are made public in 2012.
The papers being studied include those from South Yorkshire police, the regional fire and ambulance services, Sheffield Wednesday FC and Sheffield council.
Also being scrutinised are files from West Midlands police and Lord Justice Taylor’s public inquiry papers.
Some of the Hillsborough panel’s work could take place in Liverpool, Sheffield and London.
