The verdicts of the original Hillsborough inquests could be quashed within days, not weeks, according to shadow health secretary Andy Burnham following attorney general Dominic Grieve's call for new investigations.

Families of the 96 victims have attempted to have the 1991 accidental death verdicts reversed. Their campaign was boosted by the release of a report in September that absolved fans of blame and lambasted South Yorkshire Police's handling of the disaster.

The report's findings, as well as new medical evidence, are the grounds behind the request for new inquests, said Grieve, the government's most senior law officer.

Hillsborough
Families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough have campaigned for 23 years for justice.

"I believe that the case for the high court to quash the original inquests is a good one," he said. "My application has now been lodged with the court. It is my intention to appear to argue the case at the hearing that will take place in the high court.

"The principal ground for the application is the new medical evidence. The alteration to police and emergency services evidence is a supporting factor, as is stadium safety.

"The views of the families were sought before filing this application. All support the quashing of the inquests and the ordering of new ones. The coroners for South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire (in the case of Anthony Bland) were also contacted and support the application."

A date for the hearing has not been confirmed, but Burnham, who played a significant role in uncovering the Hillsborough scandal, has confirmed on Twitter via a letter from Lord Chief Justice that the matter will be dealt with "as a matter of urgency".

The events on 15 April 1989 when 96 football fans died as a result of a crush at Hillsborough at the Liverpool-Nottingham Forest FA Cup semi-final sent shockwaves through English football. Police reports on the tragedy were doctored to portray fans in a guilty light.

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