The long-awaited Hillsborough Law, which would establish crucial legal protections for victims in public inquiries, faces significant delays under Keir Starmer's Labour government, leaving families of the 97 victims in a state of profound disappointment.
Despite explicit manifesto commitments and Starmer's personal assurances, the proposed bill has been conspicuously absent from the King's Speech, raising serious questions about the government's commitment to delivering on this cornerstone pledge.
The Core Promise: What Hillsborough Law Would Deliver
The legislation aims to create a statutory 'duty of candour' on public authorities and officials, compelling complete transparency during legal processes and inquiries. Furthermore, it would establish the principle of 'parity of arms', ensuring families have equal access to legal funding and representation as state bodies.
Elkan Abrahamson, director of Hillsborough Law Now, expressed the collective frustration: "We are deeply disappointed. After years of campaigning and clear promises, we expected to see this law prioritised. The delay is inexplicable and heartbreaking for the families who have fought so long for justice."
A History of Broken Promises?
This isn't the first time victims have faced political setbacks. The previous Conservative government also failed to enact similar legislation after a 2017 review. Now, with Labour in power—a party that had vocally supported the law—the continued stagnation feels like a bitter betrayal to many.
The proposed law is seen as a direct response to the decades-long cover-up and institutional obstruction that followed the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives.
What Happens Next?
Pressure is mounting on the Labour government to provide a clear timetable for the bill. Campaigners warn that without immediate action, the government risks being seen as complicit in the very culture of secrecy it promised to dismantle.
The delay raises critical questions about Starmer's ability to deliver on key manifesto promises and his government's relationship with victims' rights groups across the country.
