Andy Burnham delivered a passionate speech as he returned to parliament to witness the historic passage of the Hillsborough Law through the House of Commons. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, commonly known as the Hillsborough Law, passed its final Commons stages on Tuesday after months of delays and legal wrangling.
What the Hillsborough Law Does
The new law creates a criminal offence for misleading proceedings under a new Duty of Candour and expands legal aid to ensure bereaved families have equal, publicly-funded representation at inquests. Named after the 97 Liverpool fans unlawfully killed at Hillsborough in 1989, the law honours their families who fought against a state cover-up for decades.
Delays and Breakthrough
The Bill's passage was heavily delayed by a dispute over how the Duty of Candour would affect intelligence and security services. A breakthrough led to amendments allowing compliance directions for current and former intelligence agency staff, addressing national security concerns while forcing cooperation with inquiries into state failings.
Both Andy Burnham, MP for Makerfield and incoming Prime Minister, and outgoing PM Sir Keir Starmer delivered rousing speeches during the Third Reading before the Bill moved to the House of Lords.
Burnham's Exclusive Comments
Speaking exclusively to the ECHO, Burnham said: "Life has come full circle this evening. The Bill that we've just passed is one I left behind. Keir Starmer helped draft it with me when I presented it in 2017. It feels like a moment that hopefully the country will take something from."
He added: "The greatest thing about this moment is these values are the values of the city of my birth. It's down to the families, but it's also down to the city that never gave up, that stands in solidarity. This place would not have changed were it not for that city. They have changed this land."
Families' Determination
Burnham praised the Hillsborough families as "superhuman," noting they had fought for 37 years. He said: "We got it to the end to the right place. But the fact that it's taken so long tells you that this country does need to change." He also named other campaigns that have benefited, including Chinook families, infected blood victims, Primodos campaigners, and nuclear test veterans.
Margaret Aspinall's Reaction
Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James at Hillsborough, told the ECHO outside Westminster: "It's a monumental day. What's been achieved today is absolutely great for the country. This is for the nation." She added: "These guys here have never stopped. Every time we've had meetings, there's always been people trying to knock it back because of national security. Common sense tells you, you shouldn't have to do this for all of these years."
Aspinall said: "We had the establishment against us, we had the media against us. I lost my son. I didn't have time to grieve. I had to go out and campaign against a system that was so corrupt, so wrong, and so unjust. People won't have to do that anymore."
Next Steps
The Bill now proceeds to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before receiving Royal Assent. Campaigners view the Commons passage as a hugely significant step toward ensuring accountability and justice for victims of state failures.
