An online petition calling for ministers to release Cabinet papers about the Hillsborough football disaster hit 100,000 signatures – enough to trigger a debate in Parliament.
Footballer Joey Barton led a campaign on Twitter that boosted the number of supporters adding to the calls for the release of all documents about Margaret Thatcher’s discussions on the 1989 tragedy in which 96 Liverpool fans died in a crush.
The Newcastle United player, who grew up in Merseyside, posted over 40 Tweets to garner support for the cause. Celebrity signatories include footballer Michael Owen, the musician Billy Bragg, the actor Simon Pegg and the comedian Dara O Briain.
The petition follows a ruling by the information commissioner Christopher Graham that the papers should now be made public.
The Cabinet Office has said it will appeal against the decision in order to allow the Hillsborough Independent Panel, established by the previous government to look into the circumstances and aftermath of the disaster, to oversee the disclosure of documents.
Under the government’s new e-petition rules the Commons backbench business committee must consider allotting time for a debate on any campaign that attracts more than 100,000 supporters.
A Cabinet Office spokesman 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 e-petition will remain live, and people will be able to continue adding their signatures. The government will respond to those who have signed the e-petition in due course.”
A spokesman for the Hillsborough Independent Panel said: “Following recent media coverage of the Cabinet Office’s decision to appeal the release of Cabinet Office papers concerning the Hillsborough disaster, the Hillsborough Independent Panel affirms its independence of government in carrying out its research, publishing an analytical report and establishing a comprehensive public archive of documents and other materials.