100,000 PEOPLE HAVE put their name to an online petition calling for the release of documents pertaining to the Hillsborough disaster, prompting the House of Commons to consider opening a debate into the matter.

Kenny Dalglish and Joey Barton have been among the petitions more high-profile supporters, as they have encouraged followers to sign their names on it via Twitter.

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham had previously ruled that the papers should be published.

However, the Cabinet Office has said it will appeal against the commissioner’s request, arguing that the Hillsborough Independent Panel should oversee the evidence.

A spokesperson for the Cabinet Office said:

“The e-petition has now reached 100,000 signatures and the government will notify the Backbench Business Committee in the House of Commons in order that the committee can consider its suitability for debate when Parliament returns in September.”

The calls result from the questions still remaining following the death of 96 Liverpool fans in the stadium at an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on 15 April, 1989.

Other celebrities backing the campaign include Billy Bragg, Simon Pegg and Dara Ó Briain.

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