Mothers of Hillsborough disaster victims marched on Downing Street today to hand over a petition demanding a fresh criminal investigation into the tragedy.
More than 40,000 people have signed up to the March4Justice campaign, calling for documents to be released 20 years after 96 Liverpool fans were crushed during the FA Cup semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest.
Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James in the tragedy, said: “We have waited 20 years for the truth, that is 20 years too long.
“What this is all about for us is the release of police and emergency service documents which are what will help us understand what happened that day.
“There are probably 800 boxes of documents alone which have not been seen, it sickens me that these have not yet been handed over.”
The 62-year-old, from Huyton, Knowsley, Merseyside said she had still to come to terms with what had happened to her son.
She added: “He would still be a young man today yet there is no way I could have gone on if it wasn’t for the support we have had during the campaign.
“There are still so many questions to be answered about James but it is not just about him. It is not even just about the people who died — this is about our Government being honest and open.”
Supporters of the campaign gathered at Temple Tube station before marching for two miles in sunshine through London before arriving at Downing Street.
Barry Thompson, from March4Justice, which organised the rally, said he was “truly overwhelmed” by the support, adding: “This is not just about Liverpool football club, this is not even just about football the support we have had has been tremendous.”
Rosemary Stewart, wearing full blue and white Everton gear among the crowd of mainly Liverpool supporters, said: “These 20 years have been completely tainted by dishonesty.
“We demand that the truth comes out. We want the Government to release those files now.”
PA