A law named in honour of victims of the Hillsborough disaster and aimed at preventing cover-ups must be “all or nothing”, campaigners have said, after concerns the bill might be watered down. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously pledged to introduce the so-called Hillsborough Law before this year’s anniversary of the tragedy, which took place on April 15 1989. It would demand public authorities and officials tell the truth and co-operate with official investigations and inquiries, or face criminal sanctions.
Legislation presented to Parliament must be “without dilution or caveat” the Inquest charity said after it was reported last month a meeting with the Prime Minister was cancelled.
The law campaigners want would introduce a legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and proactively co-operate with official investigations and inquiries – with the potential for criminal sanctions for officials or organisations which mislead or obstruct investigations.
Other major campaign groups including Grenfell United and Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice (CBFFJ) have backed the call.
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James died in the disaster, said: “After hearing the stories of all the other families fighting for justice, I am more determined than ever to demand that the Hillsborough Law presented to Parliament is all or nothing.”
Inquest director Deborah Coles said a delay in a bill being introduced to Parliament by the anniversary would be “disappointing” but that it was important the proposed legislation fully met campaigners’ hopes.
The crush happened at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, where 97 football fans died as a result of a crush.
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