A leading expert is warning that early release of secret documents will not bring justice for the 96 Hillsborough Disaster victims unless complete openness is assured.
Professor Phil Scraton called for the appointment of independent investigators who would have the power to collate documents before they are made public.
Gordon Brown has agreed to hold a Cabinet-level review in which ministers will decide whether to lift the 30-year rule that keeps secret sensitive material.
The move comes in the face of calls for a fresh public inquiry into the 1989 disaster.
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has told Gordon Brow that Liverpool fans would not find "closure" until all relevant documents are made public.
But Phil Scraton is convinced early public disclosure will be "pointless" unless the relevant files are handed to an independent authority to prevent tampering.
Prof Scraton's 1999 book "The Truth" is recognised as the most authoritative on the April 15th 1989 disaster at the FA Cup Semi Final in Sheffield.
Queens University of Belfast Professor Scraton said: "I have no doubt Andy Burnham and Gordon Brown are ordinary decent people.
"But I am very surprised Mr Burnham decided to make his plans public.
"It would probably be a bit more credible if Mr Burnham went about his business a little more quietly.
"We have had situations like this before, there was optimism with the Lord Justice Stuart-Smith scrutiny, before it became clear he was not interested in justice.
"Every Liverpool fan wants to know the truth, and we all want to see all the relevant information out in the open.
"But there is no point if the likes of South Yorkshire Police are still in charge of vital documents.
"If the government are serious about launching another enquiry, the relevant documents need to be reviewed by a credible group of people before an official enquiry is launched.
"All police, medical and legal files should be handed to an independent group of people immediately before vital parts of them go missing."
Prof Scraton's comments come as solicitor Ann Adlington, who spearheaded the private prosecution against two South Yorkshire Police officers, named certain information she claims would be "interesting" to see.
The information included files on the criminal investigation undertaken by West Midlands Police on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) in 1989-90.
Ms Adlington said: "Those documents make it clear that Liverpool supporters were being criminally investigated for causing the disaster.
"The file has never seen the light of day.
"Years later when the Hillsborough family support group started its private prosecution of Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield and Superintendent Bernard Murray, we were doing their job for them.
"It would be interesting to read the interviews done with those officers."
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martin, overthehill around 2 years, 9 months ago