Hearing to pave way for Hillsborough inquest

A spokesman for the inquest said the hearing will take place in London on April 25.

The choice of London was no indication that the full inquest will be held in the capital, he added.

He said: “The families and other interested parties have today been sent letters informing them that a pre-inquest hearing will take place in London on 25 April.

“As the letters make clear, the Coroner will hear submissions on the timing and location of the inquests themselves before making any decision.

“Further details and arrangements for press and public attendance will be issued shortly.”

Lord Justice Goldring was appointed coroner for the new inquests after the original inquest verdicts were quashed by the High Court in December.

The 96 Liverpool supporters died in a crush at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989 where their team were to meet Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final.

A damning report published last September by the Hillsborough Independent Panel laid bare a police cover-up which attempted to shift the blame for the tragedy on to its victims. Campaigners fought a long campaign for a new inquiry into the tragedy and inquest based on the new findings.