Attorney General makes application to quash Hillsborough verdicts

An application by the Attorney General to quash the original Hillsborough inquest verdicts is due to be heard at the High Court next week, the Judicial Office said today.

The application is listed to be heard on Wednesday December 19 by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge and two other judges in London - subject to any applications by "interested parties" to adjourn.

A spokesman for the Judicial Office said: "The Attorney General's application to quash the Hillsborough inquest verdicts has been listed for a substantive hearing before the Divisional Court on Wednesday 19 December, subject to any applications by interested parties to adjourn.

"The Lord Chief Justice, sitting with two other judges, will hear the application."

Families of the 96 victims of the 1989 tragedy have campaigned to have the accidental death verdicts overturned.

The move by Dominic Grieve comes after a damning report into the disaster 23 years ago laid bare a cover-up which attempted to shift the blame for the tragedy on to its victims.

Mr Grieve announced in October he would make an application to the High Court for fresh inquests after beginning a review of the evidence.

Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989, where their team were to meet Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final.

PA