Hillsborough Files: Dalglish Welcomes Government Stance

Kenny Dalglish has welcomed the news that the government has urged the Hillsborough panel to release documents relating to the disaster to the public.









The recommendation comes after more than 100,000 people signed an e-petition calling for them to be publicly released.

The Cabinet Office had previously said any release of information should be managed by the panel.

Liverpool manager Dalglish said: "It is fantastic news for the families."

Dalglish was managing Liverpool for the first time when 96 fans were killed in April 1989 during a semi-final cup tie against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's ground.

He said: "I think this isn't a political issue - it is a humanitarian one, so at least common sense has prevailed."

When the e-petition reached 100,000 signatures, the House of Commons had to consider the issue for a parliamentary debate.

On Wednesday night, the Cabinet Office confirmed it was "happy for all the papers to be released as soon as the panel so decides, in consultation with the families".

It added: "We expect them to be shared with the Hillsborough families first and then to the wider public."









Ninety-six Liverpool fans were killed in the disaster.

Prior to that, the government had failed to publicly back calls that the documents should be released to the public.

The BBC put in a Freedom of Information request for the documents in 2009.

The Information Commissioner Christopher Graham ruled the files should be released, ahead of the usual 30-year rule. The Cabinet Office said it would appeal against the decision.

A spokesman said it would continue to appeal against the ruling as it wanted the files to be released in an ordered way to the victims' families first before the media.

Dalglish also praised Labour MP Andy Burnham, former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, for pushing the issue forward after the 20th anniversary of the disaster.

"He has stuck to his word and delivered it as best he possibly could," Dalglish said.

He added: "Everything is looking positive for the families and everybody, irrespective of what team they support, has made a massive contribution towards the success they are having at the moment.

"Long may it continue because it was Liverpool, but it could have been any football club and I think people respect that."

Claims Of A Police Leak Over Milly Dowler Case To Be Investigated

The police watchdog is investigating a claim that an officer on the Milly Dowler murder case gave information to the News of the World newspaper.










Milly disappeared as she walked home from school in Walton-on-Thames.

The allegation against the Surrey Police officer is from 2002. Last month it emerged the same officer had been taken off the Dowler case in 2002 for discussing it with a friend.

In June it was discovered Milly's phone had been hacked by the newspaper.

The 13-year-old was murdered by doorman Levi Bellfield in 2002.

The police watchdog - the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) - is offering to meet the Dowler family to offer them further details of the latest allegation.

Surrey Police said three weeks ago that there was no suggestion of any officer having shared information about the Dowler case with the News of the World.

The force said then that an unnamed officer was given "words of advice" and permanently taken off the investigation in 2002 after telling a friend - a retired police officer - about the case.

But the BBC understands that the unnamed officer referred to in July is the same one now being investigated by the IPCC over an allegation that information was passed to the newspaper.

Surrey Police are refusing to comment now that the matter is in the hands of the IPCC.

'Long overdue'

Mark Lewis, the Dowler's solicitor, said the family welcomed the investigation but added that it was long overdue.

"The family are obviously pleased this is being looked at, but it is nine years later than it happened.

"One officer was removed from the initial Milly investigation in 2002, we are now in 2011. There is a question as to why it has taken so long to get to this stage."

Mr Lewis also said the family had received hardly any information about the substance of the inquiry: "We don't know what they are looking at, what investigations will take place, what information they require."

He added that the claims were yet another blow for the Dowlers: "It is one thing on top of the other."

News of the World owner, News International, said: "News Corporation's independent Management and Standards Committee is co-operating fully with the Metropolitan Police and is facilitating their investigation into illegal voicemail interception and related issues at the News of the World."

The schoolgirl disappeared while walking home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

Bellfield was convicted of her murder in June 2011.