Hillsborough campaigner dies

Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams, whose 15-year-old son Kevin was killed in the 1989 disaster, has died after a battle with cancer.

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Reds players hail 'remarkable' Hillsborough campaigner

Former Liverpool players Robbie Fowler and Dietmar Hamann have paid tribute to Anne Williams, who has died after a battle with cancer:

  1. Granada

Hillsborough families 'would not be where they are today' without Anne

Hillsborough Justice Campaign lawyer Elkan Abrahamson paid tribute to Anne Williams, who passed away in the early hours.

'I was very sad to learn of Anne's death. I have known Anne for two decades. Her unremitting fight for the victims of Hillsborough has been an inspiration to us all. There is no doubt that without her commitment and tenacious investigation the families would not be where they are today - on the verge of justice after the truth has been uncovered.

She was a loving mother, not just to Kevin but also to Michael and Sara. We will continue to draw support and strength from her example.'

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Williams was 'real woman of steely determination'

Steve Rotheram, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, drew on the funeral of Margaret Thatcher in his tribute to Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams.

He said: "In a week that saw the funeral of a woman described as the 'Iron Lady', Liverpool will mourn the loss of a real woman of steely determination."

For almost a quarter of a century, the fight for truth and justice became the work of Anne's life. She was routinely let down by an establishment hell bent on protecting themselves rather than protecting the families.

Anne's relentless pursuit of justice for her son personified the unyielding bond of a mother's love for her child. She was an inspiration to thousands of women across Merseyside and Britain.

– Steve Rotheram, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton

Liverpool mayor praises 'inspirational' Williams

In a powerful tribute, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson described Anne Williams as an "amazing woman" and a "dedicated campaigner who continued fighting tirelessly for justice right up until the end."

It was a mark of her incredible strength that even in her last days she made sure she attended the Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield.

It was a real privilege for me to know such an inspirational person whose determination and conviction played a significant role in exposing the cover up over Hillsborough. “We can take heart from the fact that she lived to see the truth revealed.

– Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool

Hillsborough campaigner 'glad we never gave up'

Anne Williams was one of the loudest voices throughout the campaigners' efforts for justice after the Hillsborough disaster.

It was her fight to get her son's inquest verdict of accidental death overturned that is credited with leading to fresh hearings for all 96 supporters who died.

After the Hillsborough Report was published in December last year, she paid tribute to Attorney General Dominic Grieve as "a man of his word" and said "he did what he promised".

I am glad we never gave up. It has been hard, but we wouldn't have been here today. I'd like a corporate manslaughter verdict in the inquest, it's the least for what they have done. It's a long process.

– Anne Williams speaking in December 2012

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Liverpool FC leads tributes to Anne Williams

Tributes have been paid to prominent Hillsborough justice campaigner Anne Williams whose died after battling cancer.

Actor Neil Fitzmaurice who was present at the disaster said:

Hillsborough campaigner 'gone to join son'

Anne Williams attended a memorial service to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster on Monday.

Anne Williams attended a memorial service to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster on Monday.

She told ITV News' North of England Correspondent Damon Green, "I really wanted to go because I know this will be my last year. I just really wanted to get there, not to say goodbye, because I'll be going to him."

Her son Kevin was 15-years-old when he went to Liverpool's cup semi-final in 1989, he never returned.

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