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Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to succeed Sir Keir, described the upcoming debate as likely to be a “deeply moving moment.” Both politicians are anticipated to address members of the Commons later in the day. The legislation under discussion is named after the tragic Hillsborough disaster of 1989, which resulted in 97 fatalities when a fatal crush occurred during the FA Cup semi-final held at Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium. This event remains among the darkest in British sporting history.
Investigations revealed that police authorities had disseminated false information, wrongly accusing Liverpool fans for the catastrophe and concealing evidence of their own errors. The proposed Public Office (Accountability) Bill aims to address these wrongs by ensuring accountability in public service, and also pledges to provide legal aid for victims affected by disasters or state-related deaths. This bill was a key commitment in Labour’s manifesto for the 2024 general election, with Sir Keir promising to have it enacted by April 15, 2025, the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
However, the government missed this deadline and pulled a final debate on the bill in January following opposition from both campaigners and some Labour MPs. Controversy arose when a government amendment sought to require intelligence officers’ cooperation with inquiries only with approval from the head of their services. Families of the bereaved criticized this, insisting that agencies like MI5 and MI6 should be fully accountable under the law, referencing previous instances where MI5 provided misleading information, such as during the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Subsequent government amendments now propose no exemptions for intelligence services, which ministers argue will not threaten national security.
As the bill advances to the report stage and moves closer to the third reading scheduled for Tuesday, it will later pass to the House of Lords, where further changes could be made, especially by peers concerned about national security implications. The government has expressed its intention to have the law formalized by next April’s anniversary. Ahead of the debate, Sir Keir paid tribute to the families and campaigners who tirelessly sought justice, stating, “They suffered unimaginable grief and never gave up. If it wasn’t for their dedication the Hillsborough Law would never have happened.” Echoing this, Andy Burnham praised the courage of the Hillsborough families, highlighting how their efforts are reshaping the relationship between the public and the state for future generations. He emphasized that the significance of the law goes beyond mere transparency, questioning what kind of society Britain aspires to be—one where power is concentrated and distant, or one that shares power more fairly and listens to all communities equally.
Campaigners, including relatives of those who lost their lives in the disaster, welcomed the bill’s return to the Commons. Charlotte Hennessy, Sue Roberts, Steve Kelly, and Margaret Aspinall remarked that the legislation represents not just a legal change but a cultural shift in how bereaved families and survivors are treated, adding, “it is deeply empowering knowing that this protects others forever.
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