‘Truth at all costs’ plea over football tragedy

The Hillsborough Independent Panel, which was set up by the Government to examine more than 400,000 pages of official documentation relating to the disaster, will make the papers public in Liverpool on Wednesday.

South Yorkshire Police is likely to be under most pressure, with the force expecting strong criticism over its response to the incident in which 96 people died at Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium in 1989.

But it is understood Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the coroners’ service and other authorities are likely to face calls to mount investigations, with some families set to demand new inquests.

It is understood, however, that no contingency fund is in place to help meet the cost of new hearings, which could cause further delays for relatives seeking the answers on how loved ones died.

Sources have told the Yorkshire Post that no public authority would want to draw attention to the financial impact for fear of offending victims’ families at a time when emotions are so raw.

But there are concerns about how the cost of either inquests or legal action – expected to be many millions of pounds – will impact on over-stretched services.

The coroners’ office is funded by local authorities, meaning the cost of any new hearings is likely fall on South Yorkshire’s councils and, in turn, on council taxpayers.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust is also expected to face criticism and claims at a time when its budget is being slashed.

Michael Mansfield QC will be present when the papers are released alongside former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer. Both will be advising families on any issues arising out of the documents.

Last night Mr Mansfield said concerns over the cost of new inquiries were “premature”, but said “getting to the truth” must override financial issues.

“The cost of what has happened to these families so far is enormous and cannot be measured in economic terms,” he said. “I’m not predicting that there will be a cost because I haven’t seen the papers, but to even consider it is an erroneous approach. It is looking at it from the wrong end of the telescope.”

Sheffield MP Angela Smith said the Government should be prepared to assist.

She added: “If judicial processes are recommended such as fresh inquests it will be absolutely critical to get help, given the financial restrictions on authorities.

“This is an extraordinary case. This work should have been done properly 23 years ago, and it is only right the Government should put its hand in its pocket to make sure it is done properly now.”

Sheffield Council chief executive John Mothersole said the authority had not made any special financial arrangements in preparation for Wednesday.

He said the council was committed to the truth and added: “The point of next Wednesday is the release of those papers, it is not the conclusion of a report, and it is not yet possible to predict the effect that will have on the council or any other public authority.”

The disaster happened on April 15, 1989 when Liverpool were due to play Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final. The 96 fans died in a crush as they were pushed against fences in the stadium’s Leppings Lane end.

A report by Lord Justice Taylor, published in 1990, found the main reason for the disaster was a failure of “police control”.

David Cameron is expected to give an official apology for the way the disaster and its protracted aftermath have been dealt with on Wednesday in the Commons, after the papers are released.