Foreign Secretary David Lammy has pledged that a new 'Hillsborough Law' will be enacted to ensure public authorities and officials are held accountable for serious wrongdoing, finally ending decades of impunity for institutions that have covered up their failings.
The landmark legislation, a central commitment in the Labour party's manifesto, will establish a statutory duty of candour for all public servants. This legal obligation will compel honesty and proactive disclosure of information during official investigations and inquests, preventing the culture of obstruction that has plagued tragedies like Hillsborough.
A Legacy of Obstruction
Lammy's announcement comes as a direct response to the long fight for justice by the families of the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. For years, these families battled not only their grief but also a concerted effort by authorities to conceal the truth and shift blame onto the victims.
"We have seen too many times how public bodies close ranks, how they hide behind bureaucracy and how they fail to disclose information," Lammy stated. "This law is about making sure that never happens again. Serious wrongdoing must be punished."
What the Law Will Do
The proposed legislation is designed to create a fundamental shift in how public authorities operate during crises and investigations. Its key pillars include:
- A legal duty of candour: Mandating public officials and bodies to act with transparency and honesty at all times.
- Parity of legal funding: Providing families with access to publicly funded legal representation, putting them on an equal footing with the well-resourced lawyers typically hired by police forces and government departments.
- Proper consequences for breaches: Ensuring that failures to comply with the duty of candour face meaningful sanctions.
This framework aims to dismantle the power imbalance that has often left ordinary citizens struggling against the might of the state.
A Long-Awaited Victory for Campaigners
The announcement has been hailed as a monumental victory by long-term campaigners, including the Hillsborough Family Support Group. Their relentless pursuit of truth and accountability has been the primary driver behind this legislative change.
For them, the Hillsborough Law is not just about one tragedy; it is about ensuring that no other family has to endure a similar battle for transparency. It addresses a systemic issue within British public life, one where institutional self-preservation has too often trumped the pursuit of justice.
Lammy confirmed that the government will engage with these campaigners and other stakeholders to finalise the details of the bill before presenting it to Parliament, marking a definitive step towards restoring public trust in official institutions.
