A HILLSBOROUGH campaigner from Chester could have her Government e-petition debated in the House of Commons after it was signed by more than 100,000 people.
Anne Williams, 59, of Newtown, launched the online campaign calling for a new inquest for her 15-year-old son Kevin, who died in the 1989 tragedy which claimed 96 Liverpool fans.
Thanks to the efforts of thousands of people on social networking websites, including Liverpool managers past and present Rafael Benitez and Kenny Dalglish, England striker Wayne Rooney and celebrities Boy George and Piers Morgan, the petition notched up 116,213 signatures.
That figure is more than the 100,000 required for the issue to be eligible for debate in the House of Commons.
Anne said of the e-petition: “I just could not believe it as the numbers kept going up, and with all those people who mentioned it, in particular Kenny Dalglish. They also mentioned it at the Liverpool match. I have been overwhelmed at the support.”
Anne is now gathering support from Chester MP Stephen Mosley to help her in her submission to the Attorney General.
She believes Kevin was still alive at 4pm and did not die from traumatic asphyxia, resulting in the original inquest’s verdict of accidental death. The inquests into the disaster ruled all the victims were dead by 3.15pm.
The petition aims to overturn that verdict via a new inquest.
Anne added: “Kevin died through lack of care. An inquest is the only way to go forward and I have new evidence which I can submit to the Attorney General.
“I have been knocked back three times but I won’t pack it up until it’s put right.”
The Attorney General has confirmed he will examine whether the evidence available supports an application for a new inquest.
