Legislation which requires public bodies to cooperate with investigations into major disasters will be introduced in parliament before the next anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, according to the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. The law, known as the “Hillsborough Law”, is the cause of the campaign of Margaret Aspinall and the families of the 97 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 disaster. The tragedy occurred during a crush of fans at an FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield, and the new law would oblige public bodies to meet a legal duty of candour. Those that mislead or obstruct investigations into major disasters could face criminal sanctions under the proposed legislation.
Starmer confirmed he would honour a commitment made during a speech in Liverpool two years ago. The proposed law would be delivered by the 36th anniversary of the tragedy. Public bodies and authorities will be required to comply with a code of ethics to tackle any culture of defensiveness seen in the aftermath of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal and the Windrush and infected blood scandals.
Campaigners for the new law said it should prevent future cover-ups and that it will have further applications in relation to other public disasters. Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, said that he believed the law could make a difference for the veterans affected by the forced witnessing of nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s. As part of the law, an independent public advocate will attend future public disasters immediately after they occur, to provide advice, assistance and support to victims and their families.
Elkan Abrahamson, director of the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, welcomed the renewed commitment to the law. However, he stated there is still much work to do to ensure that the extended version of the law retains the effectiveness of its original form. Deborah Coles, director of INQUEST, a charity providing support to people bereaved by state-related deaths, praised the families’ campaign and said the proposed law is a step towards ensuring a legacy for the 97 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy
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