The Hillsborough Law will return to the House of Commons following the King's Speech in May, as the government commits to advancing the legislation in the next parliamentary session. The law, officially titled the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, aims to prevent future state cover-ups by imposing a legal duty of candour on public officials, with criminal sanctions for dishonesty.
Parliamentary Procedure
As the government prepares to prorogue Parliament next week ahead of the King's Speech, which will outline the new legislative agenda, Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell confirmed on Thursday that the Hillsborough Law bill would be subject to a carry-over motion on Monday. This ensures the bill will continue into the next session rather than being lost.
Labour MP Ian Byrne, who was present at Hillsborough when 97 Liverpool football fans lost their lives, welcomed the commitment but called on the government to "end the delays." Speaking during business questions, Byrne stated: "While we welcome the Government's tabling of the carryover motion for the Hillsborough law, and a lot of people will be relieved today, they were extremely worried about what was happening. But this must be matched by urgency. Ministers must end the delays and deliver the law in full without carve outs for the intelligence and security services, as promised, to achieve the cultural change the country desperately needs, as we've seen this week."
Background and Controversy
The bill was pulled from the Commons in January after a major dispute over an amendment concerning its application to security services, including MI5. Last month, reports indicated a breakthrough in negotiations with Hillsborough families, but any government amendment has yet to be published.
Sir Alan responded to Byrne: "I know that he has a personal interest, as someone who was at Hillsborough on that terrible day. As he says, we brought forward the carryover motion, and I'm pleased that he welcomes that."
Campaigner Calls for Action
Last month, Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among the 97 victims, urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to honour his promise and pass the law "ASAP." In an interview with The Mirror, she said: "Get it sorted. Do it, ASAP. You promised when you first came into power that you would fulfil a Hillsborough Law in all its entirety. Now do what you promised. You've not only promised it to me, you've promised it to the people of this country. Do the right thing Mr Starmer please, and do it ASAP."
