The 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster are to be given the Freedom of Liverpool.
Those that lost their lives on April 15, 1989 have been granted the highest civic honour in the city’s first posthumous award.
Ex-Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and his wife Marina will also be awarded the Freedom of the City for their support to the victims at the time of the tragedy and attended many of the victims’ funerals.
Also among those honoured will be key figures in the long-standing campaign for justice, including Professor Phil Scraton, whose 1999 book ‘Hillsborough: The Truth’ offered a definitive view on the tragedy.
Former Bishop of Liverpool, The Right Reverend James Jones’ contribution is set to be recognised after chairing the Hillsborough Independent Panel which, in 2012, overturned the original inquest verdicts of accidental death.
The accolade was previously awarded to the families of those that died in Sheffield on the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough.
Joe Anderson, the Mayor of Liverpool, said: “The fight for truth and justice over the last 27 years has involved many people, not least the families of the 96 who we honoured with the Freedom of the City back in 2009.
“Today we are announcing that we want to bestow the honour on those who died, together with a number of people who have played a pivotal role over many, many years – not just in the Hillsborough campaign, but who, through their actions, have enhanced the life of the city as well.
“It has needed tremendous diligence and persistence to demolish the wall of lies that was cruelly created by the establishment to deflect blame for the tragedy away from those that were really responsible.
“The individuals we will be honouring have played a crucial role in righting of the biggest wrongs seen in recent British history.
“We are also, in truly exceptional circumstances, posthumously awarding the Freedom of the City to the 96 innocent people who the whole world now knows paid the ultimate price for the failings and actions of others, and who have been disgracefully smeared over many years.”