Sir Keir Starmer is facing intense scrutiny and growing anger from Hillsborough families over the delayed implementation of the long-promised Hillsborough Law, with campaigners accusing the government of backtracking on crucial commitments to justice and transparency.
The Broken Promise
Despite previous assurances, the proposed legislation – formally known as the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill – has failed to materialise in the current parliamentary session. The bill would establish a legal "duty of candour" requiring public authorities and officials to proactively disclose information during inquiries and investigations.
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James died in the 1989 disaster that claimed 97 lives, expressed profound disappointment: "We were promised this would happen. Now we're being told it might not. It feels like we're back to square one after all these years of fighting."
Political Pressure Mounts
Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley has joined cross-party efforts to push the legislation forward, stating: "This isn't about party politics. It's about ensuring what happened to the Hillsborough families never happens again. The duty of candour is essential for restoring public trust."
Meanwhile, Labour faces internal pressure to clarify its position, with several backbench MPs urging Starmer to make the bill a non-negotiable part of the party's manifesto. The Labour leader had previously committed to the legislation while serving as Director of Public Prosecutions.
What the Hillsborough Law Would Achieve
The proposed legislation contains several key provisions:
- A statutory duty of candour for all public servants
- Parity of legal funding between public authorities and bereaved families
- Proper recognition of the Hillsborough Charter principles
- Stronger protections for whistleblowers
The Human Cost of Delay
For the families who have fought for justice over three decades, the latest delay represents more than political disappointment. "Every time this gets pushed back, it feels like another betrayal," said another family member who wished to remain anonymous. "We've buried our loved ones twice – first in 1989, and then every time the system fails us again."
As parliamentary time runs short before the next election, campaigners warn that further delay could mean the legislation never materialises, leaving what they describe as "unfinished business" in Britain's worst sporting disaster.
