Readings from the Hillsborough service

The readings at today's Hillsborough Memorial Service from Jimmy McGovern and Steve Rotheram MP were superb. I hope they don't mind that I reproduce them here - they deserve as wide an audience as possible.

To The Families by Jimmy McGovern

For 22 years you have battled. The lies, the longest inquest in British legal history, ending in a farce, judge nitpicking in judicial reviews, Lord Justice Smith arriving on Merseyside with his mind already made up, the magnificent private prosecution just failing.

For 22 years you have watched judges putting the niceties of law above justice itself, and still you have battled on.

A wonderful demonstration of enduring love.

Steve Rotheram MP

Two years ago on the 20th anniversary, I addressed the many thousands packed into all four sides of this famous Anfield ground. My overwhelming sense of pride in being invited as the Lord Mayor of Liverpool to witness the fantastic turnout and solidarity shown by Reds and Blues from across our city and from far beyond was only tempered by the solemnity of the occasion.

My account of 15th April 1989 was a personal one, but a description of events that resonated with many who were also present at Sheffield on that darkest of beautiful spring days.

But the occasion two years ago was in my opinion a turning point in the families' unstinting fight for justice. Because on that day the government, my government, sat up and belatedly listened.

In the event at Liverpool Town Hall that night to confer that each of the families of those individuals who lost their lives in the Hillsborough Disaster be included on the council's Freedom Role Association, Andy Burnham MP promised he would take the message articulated so passionately by the massed ranks at Anfield back to Government. Andy was as good as his word and the Hillsborough Independent Panel was established.

Despite being badly let down by successive governments, at long last there is real hope for justice for the 96. But equally important are the lessons from the Hillsborough disaster. Two decades seems to have been long enough for some to suggest that the reintroduction of standing in football stadia is an idea worthy of consideration. I believe this argument to be flawed and that football authorities should be extremely cautious before promoting such ideas.

My role may have altered over the last two years but I am as determined as ever to correct cranks, weirdos or ill-informed politicians who make crass statements about the events of 1989. To those that perpetuate the myth that it was the fault of Liverpool fans, I point them to the conclusions of Lord Justice Taylor's report.

To those that attack Liverpool supporters, I will never tire of reminding them that the fans were the real heroes in 1989, not the villains.

And to those that try to use our communal outpouring of grief in tragedy as a stick to beat our city, I point to the unshakeable bond that binds us - whether Red or Blue. We are Scousers all.