Dalglish hails release of Hillsborough documents

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has welcomed the news that the Government will sanction the release of all documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster.

Until now, ministers have failed to officially support calls for all the reports about the 1989 tragedy, in which 96 Reds fans died, to be made public.

But after an online petition gained 100,000 signatories, a Cabinet Office statement has confirmed the Government is happy for there to be full public disclosure of all papers the Hillsborough Independent Panel believes should be released.

"It is fantastic news for the families," said Dalglish, who was in his first spell as Liverpool boss when the disaster occurred, returning to the post in January this year. "I think this isn't a political issue – it is a humanitarian one, so at least common sense has prevailed.

"[Labour MP] Andy Burnham deserves a hell of a lot of credit for what he has done. He pushed it forward two years ago and he has stuck to his word and delivered it as best he possibly could."