Commons debate on Kevin Williams inquest will go ahead

Anne Williams claims her son Kevin did not die from traumatic asphyxia

The case of 15-year-old Hillsborough victim Kevin Williams will be debated in Parliament later this month, Liverpool MP Bill Esterson has said.

More than 100,000 people signed an online petition calling for a fresh inquest into his death after the boy's mother uncovered new evidence.

The backbench business committee had said a Commons debate would not be held, but a date has now been set.

Mr Esterson said he hoped it would be the first step in getting justice.

The debate is due to take place on 22 February.

Kevin, from Formby, Merseyside, is one of the 96 people who died after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

Ninety-five fans died in the crush at the FA Cup semi-final at Sheffield Wednesday's ground and a 96th supporter, Tony Bland, fell into a coma and died in hospital in 1993.

'Long battle'

The original inquest in 1991 returned a verdict of accidental death, ruling that all the victims were dead by 15:15.

Kevin's mother, Anne Williams, set up the e-petition calling on the government to open a new inquest under section 13 of the Coroner's Act, wanting the accidental death verdict to be overturned.

She claims Kevin was still alive at 16:00 on the day of the disaster and did not die from traumatic asphyxia and that she has evidence to prove it.

Mr Esterson said: "This has been a long time coming, but we have at last managed to get this issue debated in Parliament.

"More than 100,000 people put their names to the campaign calling for the debate on the government's own website. It is right a proper that that debate is given time in the House of Commons.

"Anne and the rest of the Williams family have been through a 23 year long battle for justice for Kevin.

"Anne has met people who tried to help Kevin well after the 3.15 cut off given by the coroner. Anne needs a new inquest so that she can get justice for Kevin. She and the other families need to hear the truth about whether decisions taken on the day contributed to the death of their loved ones.

"I will be fighting to ensure that this debate is the beginning of the end in the long campaign for the truth and that justice is finally done for the families of all 96 people who died at Hillsborough."