The government is to appeal against a ruling that Margaret Thatcher's discussions about the Hillsborough tragedy should be made public.

The information commissioner, Christopher Graham, has ordered the release of records of a cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister shortly after 96 Liverpool fans were killed in a crush at the Sheffield stadium in 1989.

He rejected the argument that the move would inhibit "free and frank" exchanges between ministers bound by collective responsibility.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said it would raise its objection with the information tribunal as any disclosure of information should be made to the families of the victims first.

"The government's view is that it is in the public interest for the process that is under way through the Hillsborough independent panel be allowed to take its course," he said. "The terms of reference for that process includes the intention to disclose information to the Hillsborough families first.

"The Cabinet Office absolutely agrees with the principle of providing information to families about the Hillsborough stadium disaster, but we believe it is important that any release of information should be managed through the panel's processes and in line with their terms of reference.

"The Cabinet Office is fully committed to the disclosure process in line with the terms of reference and is working with the panel to achieve that. The panel have had access to all the information covered by this decision notice."