Hillsborough Families Fear Starmer May Break Promise on Accountability Law
Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a solemn promise to Charlotte Hennessy, but now she worries he might not keep his word. Ms Hennessy, whose father Jimmy was among the 97 Liverpool FC fans unlawfully killed in the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April 1989, represents the campaign for a Hillsborough Law that has faced years of obstacles and continues to encounter significant hurdles.
The Core Promise and Its Significance
A central pledge in Sir Keir's election-winning manifesto, the Hillsborough Law, officially known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, would establish a statutory duty of candour requiring public officials and contractors to tell the truth following disasters. This legislation aims to prevent future cover-ups similar to those experienced by Hillsborough families who spent decades fighting for justice and transparency.
Ms Hennessy opened the Labour party conference in Liverpool last September alongside the prime minister, who renewed his commitment to delivering the law as the bill had just been introduced to parliament. "This promise has been going on for years," she told The Independent this week. "He made the promise initially to fellow Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall when he was leader of the opposition, and then he's made it to me repeatedly."
Legislative Stalemate and Security Concerns
The bill, introduced to parliament last September shortly before the party conference, has since encountered substantial delays. It currently faces an impasse due to a government amendment regarding its application to intelligence service personnel and potential national security implications.
The January amendment brought intelligence operatives within the legislation's scope, subject to approval from their service heads. Campaigners argue this provision would allow security service leaders to decide whether to disclose information, potentially undermining the law's fundamental purpose.
Sir Keir had originally pledged to deliver the law by 15 April 2025, the 36th anniversary of the disaster, but this deadline passed without implementation. With parliament not returning from recess until 13 April, campaigners fear another anniversary will pass without the legislation becoming law.
Growing Frustration Among Campaigners
Hillsborough families, along with those affected by the Horizon Post Office scandal, Manchester Arena terror attack, and other tragedies, recently wrote to the prime minister expressing their profound frustration about the ongoing delays.
In their letter, campaigners described the lack of progress as "an insult" and expressed disappointment that the bill hasn't been reintroduced to parliament. They wrote: "Another anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster is fast approaching. Yet the Bill has stalled. We understand it will have to roll over to the next parliamentary session but have been given no clarity beyond meaningless reassurances."
They emphasized that the delay is "having a serious, negative impact on countless other families affected by or yet to be affected by state-related deaths and on the wider public."
Political Tensions and Leadership Questions
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has faced criticism from campaigners who accuse her of contributing to the delays. Their letter claims the government's intervention has created "a carve out for the intelligence services," while Ms Hennessy noted that Ms Mahmood hasn't met with their group to discuss concerns.
"She is the minister of MI5, and she won't meet with us to discuss what her concerns are," Ms Hennessy said. "How are we going to move forward if we can't have those conversations? Why isn't the prime minister advocating for us?"
She suggested the delay makes Sir Keir appear "really weak" and questioned: "Who's running the country? Is it the home secretary or is it the prime minister? Why isn't he stepping forward and saying, no, I made this promise to these families, I pledged it in my manifesto, and I'm going to make sure this government does the right thing?"
Parliamentary Efforts and Compromise Concerns
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, a Hillsborough survivor himself, tabled an amendment in response to the government's intervention to ensure the duty of candour covers intelligence services and their personnel. Despite months of discussions, campaigners say the government hasn't explained its objections to Mr Byrne's amendment.
The MP told The Independent that delays are "extremely disappointing," particularly as another anniversary approaches without the law on the statute book. As the campaign's parliamentary lead, Mr Byrne doesn't believe including intelligence services in the duty of candour would threaten national security.
He maintains the law is "nearly there" but refuses to support weakening it for passage. "This has got to be addressed in a manner which means that the Hillsborough Law actually addresses these situations," he said. "What we don't want is a Hillsborough Law with holes in it that can actually enable state cover-ups. You just can't have that."
Mounting Pressure for Action
As the wait continues, Ms Hennessy demands action and leadership from the prime minister. "Let's not forget this Hillsborough Law was in his manifesto," she emphasized. "So pick a lane and either honour what you said in your manifesto. There's either going to be a Hillsborough law in its entirety or there's not going to be one at all."
She warned: "Without this amendment we don't have Hillsborough Law in its entirety, and if we can't be given the opportunity to discuss these issues and concerns, I don't see how we are going to move forward. There is a very real prospect here that the prime minister is going to go back on his promise and he is going to go back on what he pledged in his manifesto."
A government spokesperson responded: "The Hillsborough disaster will remain in our national consciousness for its tragedy and disgraceful injustice. Our legislation will right these wrongs, changing the balance of power so the State must always act for the people it is supposed to serve. We must take the time to get this right, bringing in a Bill that is testament to their decades campaigning, while never compromising on national security. The families and campaigners have always been at the heart of this process, and we will work with them before bringing this back to Parliament."
