Former Bishop of Liverpool James Jones is set to head a new body to monitor the progress of the criminal investigations into the Hillsborough disaster.
Bishop Jones, who retired in August, chaired the Independent Panel which reported a year ago tomorrow.
Today it was revealed Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer had written to lawyers acting for survivors and the families of victims indicating he plans to set up a 'challenge panel' to oversee probes looking at the circumstances of the disaster and the alleged cover-up which followed.
Earlier this week families raised concerns over the hold-ups in putting the panel in place, which have stretched on for several months.
It is understood the proposed panel, to be chaired by the Bishop, would initially have a limited role, amid fears it could affect the fresh inquests, which are set to start fully by March 31 next year.
Nicola Hepworth, speaking on behalf of lawyers representing 21 of the families, said that while they welcomed news that a panel would be set up, they would be "extremely concerned" if limits were imposed on its powers.
A meeting between Mr Starmer, families' groups and teams from the criminal investigation into the disaster and the IPCC probe into the alleged cover-up is planned for Friday to discuss the issue.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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