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A “Hillsborough Law,” years in the making, is poised to compel public officials to provide truthful accounts during inquiries into major disasters.
Campaigners have lauded the development, expressing relief that the legislation was not weakened in its final form.
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill mandates that public bodies cooperate fully with investigations into significant disasters. Failure to comply could result in criminal sanctions. The bill also ensures legal funding for those impacted by state-related catastrophes.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously committed to enacting the law by the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, although Downing Street later cited the need for revisions.
The bill is slated for introduction in Parliament on Tuesday, commencing its legislative process.
Government officials have confirmed the inclusion of a new “duty of candour,” requiring public officials to act with unwavering honesty and integrity. Violations of this duty would be subject to criminal penalties.
Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James at Hillsborough, expressed hope that the new law “will mean no-one will ever have to suffer like we did.”
The Hillsborough disaster, which occurred during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Sheffield on April 15, 1989, tragically claimed the lives of 97 football fans.
The government has stated that the legislation aims to “end the culture of cover-ups” by drawing lessons from major incidents such as the Grenfell Tower fire, the Post Office Horizon scandal, and the infected blood crisis.
Ms. Aspinall remarked, “It’s been a long journey to get here. I am so grateful to the prime minister for fulfilling his promise to me.”
Sir Keir Starmer commended Ms. Aspinall’s “courage” and acknowledged “the strength of all the Hillsborough families and survivors” throughout their protracted campaign for justice.
He asserted that the new legislation would reshape “the balance of power in Britain,” ensuring that the state “never hide from the people it is supposed to serve.”
“Make no mistake, this a law for the 97, but it is also a law for the subpostmasters who suffered because of the Horizon scandal, the victims of infected blood, and those who died in the terrible Grenfell Tower fire,” he added.
Elkan Abrahamson, a lawyer from Broudie Jackson Canter and one of the bill’s architects, cautioned that further steps are required before it becomes law.
“We will now scrutinise the bill as it makes its passage through parliament, so we’re not quite there yet,” he stated.
“But today is still a momentous step, owed entirely to the persistence of campaigners and their refusal to give up.
“The Hillsborough Law will transform the face of British justice.”
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