Dec 15 2009 EXCLUSIVE by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
THE Bishop of Liverpool will today be officially unveiled as the head of the panel behind the release of the hidden Hillsborough files.
The Right Reverend James Jones will take charge of the five-strong committee responsible for making public up to two million documents about the 1989 tragedy for the first time.
He was hand picked by government bosses who were keen to have someone representing the city at the forefront of the disclosure.
The announcement was being made this morning in the House of Commons on behalf of the Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
Also being revealed were the unique Terms of Reference governing the legalities of the panel and exactly how it will operate.
The ECHO understands Westminster was impressed with the Bishopâs involvement in the recent case of jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields.
The 61-year-old father-of-three is said to be looking forward to the role and considers the invitation to be part of his wider pastoral duties.
The remaining four members of the panel are yet to be officially confirmed although the Home Office is understood to be nearing their preferred choices.
Discussions remain ongoing with well-known Hillsborough chronicler Professor Phil Scraton, whose book Hillsborough â The Truth remains one of the most exhaustive writings on the disaster which took the lives of 96 Reds football fans.
Also expected to form part of the panel is a senior police chief, a health expert and an authority in archived documents.
Those announcements are likely to be made by the end of January.
Today, families who lost loved ones in Sheffield, and survivors from the Leppings Lane terraces, gave their backing to the Rt Rev James Jones.
Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: âWe welcome the appointment of a chairman and publication of the terms of reference which we see as a definite step forward in this lengthy process.
âThe Right Reverend James Jones is a respected man of the cloth and we look forward to his impartial leadership of the panel in their difficult task.
âThe remaining members of the panel are still a âwork in progressâ and we will continue to work with government to ensure the panel is suitably balanced and experienced to ensure a fair and proper process, with hopefully the panel to be appointed by the end of January.â
Sheila Coleman, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, said: âWe want an acknowledgement that Hillsborough was a cover-up.
âIt doesnât matter how long this process takes. You canât put a time scale on it. This is the least that the families and survivors deserve.
âItâs important that thereâs clarity and accountability. We will not be happy with the whole Hillsborough discussion being archived without there being a formal recognition of a cover-up and people named.â
The panel will work hand-in-hand with a team of professional archivists who will soon be given 12-month contracts to work on the project.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/12/15/bishop-of-liverpool-james-jones-will-lead-hillsborough-files-release-panel-100252-25391348/Dec 15 2009 By Luke Traynor
THE Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, today said he was 'humbled' to be chosen to lead the Hillsborough documents release panel.
He will take charge of the five-strong committee responsible for making public up to two million documents about the 1989 tragedy for the first time.
He was hand picked by government bosses who were keen to have someone representing the city at the forefront of the disclosure.
He said: ""To be entrusted with this highly sensitive task by the Home Secretary is a humbling responsibility.
"I want to assure especially the Hillsborough families I will give myself wholeheartedly to the work of the Independent Panel. The fact that 30,000 people came to Anfield for the Hillsborough 20th anniversary service shows how deep the wound is still, and how great the longing is for healing.
"I am very aware that although many have waited years for this Independent Panel, the recalling of 15th April 1989 will nevertheless be a very painful and difficult time for all who were affected and for the cities of Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham."
Home Secretary Alan Johnson welcomed the appointment and said: "Establishing the Hillsborough Independent Panel is a big step forward towards releasing public papers to the Hillsborough families
"I am delighted Bishop James has accepted the responsibility of chairing the panel. He is respected across Liverpool and beyond for his work for the city and its people.
"Work is continuing to appoint the other members of the panel to assist Bishop James, who will chair its first meeting in Liverpool in the New Year."
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/12/15/right-reverend-james-jones-humbled-to-lead-hillborough-document-release-panel-100252-25396502/