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'Inspirational, dignified fighter': Hillsborough justice



One of the leading campaigners in the fight for justice for the Hillsborough victims has died aged 62.


Anne Williams, whose 15-year-old son Kevin was one of the 96 Liverpool fans who perished in the 1989 tragedy, had been suffering from cancer.


It was her 24-year fight to get her son’s inquest verdict of accidental death overturned that is credited with leading to fresh hearings for those who died.







Campaign: Anne Williams helped fight for justice over the Hillsborough disaster, which killed her son Kevin




Long-running battle: Anne Williams in 1999 when she published her book about the Hillsborough disaster



Tireless campaigner: Mrs Williams with Lord Justice Stuart Smith on the steps of the Maritime Museum in Liverpool




She established from witnesses at the Sheffield stadium that – despite the coroner’s assertion that all fans were dead by 3.15pm – Kevin was still alive and could have been saved.

She appealed to three different attorney generals for a new inquest, only to be rebuffed. Her case was also rejected by the European Court of Human Rights.


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A red rose for the 96: Liverpool manager lays a single flower as thousands attend ceremony to mark the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster

But a breakthrough came in September following the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report.


The tireless campaigner defied doctors' expectations to attend what was her last public appearance at the Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield on Monday.


She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October, but despite her ill-health she carried on her campaign and attended a hearing at London's Royal Courts of Justice in December when the original inquest verdicts were quashed.



Fight for justice: Hillsborough victim Kevin Williams pictured at home reading a comic



Forever grateful: Fans and fellow campaigners have long held Anne Williams in the highest regard







Liverpool FC paid tribute to her, saying: '[Her appearance on Monday] was an act so typical of a mum who simply refused to accept defeat.

Speaking after the historic hearing, which she attended in a wheelchair, she thanked Attorney General Dominic Grieve for being 'a man of his word' in pushing for the new inquests.


She said: 'I am glad we never gave up. It has been hard, but we wouldn't have been here today.


'I'd like a corporate manslaughter verdict in the inquest, it's the least for what they have done. God willing, I will be here, it has been a long wait to see justice. I am so glad I could be here today to hear it for myself.'

Referring to the cover-up that shifted blame away from the authorities and on to the victims, she said: 'I can't forgive them the extremes they went to. Why didn't they just give us the truth?'


In a statement on the Liverpool website, the club paid tribute to her.


They wrote: '[Her appearance on Monday] was an act so typical of a mum who simply refused to accept defeat.



Tributes: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers laid a single red rose at the Hillsborough Eternal Flame shrine outside Anfield on Monday



Red and blue: Brendan Rodgers sat next to Everton manager David Moyes





Old and new: The current Liverpool playing staff joined club legends to mark the 24th anniversary

'Anne may not have survived to see ultimate justice for her son but her actions have played a significant part in ensuring that 96 families have moved closer to Hillsborough closure.'

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, said: ‘Anne was a woman of remarkable courage and determination. She had a strength and an energy that flowed from her love for Kevin. She will go down in history as one of the key people who brought to light the truth of the tragedy.’


Maria Eagle, MP for Liverpool Garston and Halewood, tweeted: 'So very sorry to hear about Anne Williams. She was an incredible inspirational woman. £RIP.'

Tom Watson MP tweeted: 'Goodbye Anne. You were loved.'



They'll never walk alone: A banner in honour of the Hillsborough victims at Anfield


Never forgotten: Three-year-old Liverpool fan Millie Morris leaves her tribute to the Hillsborough victims outside Anfield

As recently as Monday, Sheila Coleman, of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, paid tribute to Mrs Williams in the Liverpool Echo.


She said: 'We applaud Anne's tenacity to draw on whatever reserves she has left to be here today - she is quite simply an inspiration.'


Other friends and well-wishers took to Twitter to pay tribute to the campaigner who seemed to embody the spirit of the families who fought for justice for almost 25 years.

Paul Mac wrote: 'Deepest sympathy to Anne's family a truly truly lovely woman and your with Kevin now Anne. We will never forget you x.'





A day to remember: Fans have been visiting the Eternal Flame shrine at Anfield to leave floral tributes or have a moments' contemplation




With love: A message from the Hillsborough Family Support Group


Never forgotten: Some of the names of those who perished in Britain's worst stadium disaster

Pp Corke said: 'A truly insperation Anne Williams. Every decent person on this planet has love and respect for long hard fight you fought Anne. Your with your Kevin now. Rest Anne. You av earned it. Lovely lady.'


Steve Monahan added: 'R.I.P Anne Williams. What a true fighter and a wonderful woman. What she has had to endure for the last 24 years is a disgrace and it should never have been this long.


'But in the face of adversity she remained dignified and never gave up hope. If I'm half the parent she was when I have children I'll be doing well.YNWAx'.


Mrs Williams was an early chairman of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and later independently established Hope For Hillsborough (For Justice) in an effort to secure a fresh inquest into her son's death.

She leaves behind two children, son Michael, 41, and daughter Sara ,33, and three grandchildren.



Tragedy: 96 fans perished during the FA Cup match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough





It was her fight to get her son's inquest verdict of accidental death overturned that is credited with leading to fresh hearings for all 96 supporters who died

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