PM promises Hillsborough Law 'soon' despite another anniversary of disaster passing without announcement
Another anniversary of Hillsborough Disaster passes without ‘Hillsborough Law’ being set in stone
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is committed to delivering the long-awaited ‘Hillsborough Law’ that will require all public servants to tell the truth during enquiries - despite another anniversary of the disaster passing without an announcement.
Speaking to the House of Commons yesterday (April 15), 37 years after 97 Liverpool football fans were killed at the home of Sheffield Wednesday, the Prime Minister promised he would deliver the law after years of delays.
The Hillsborough Law, or Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, was committed to in 2024 and would essentially requiring organisations and public servants to tell the truth during investigations or face criminal sanctions.
This is currently the case for the NHS, but not other bodies, like the police. The law would have far reaching consequences for enquiries into events like the Grenfell Disaster and the Post Office Scandal.
However, progress on the Bill stalled at the 11th hour last year as lawmakers fell into arguing over whether spy bosses, like those at MI5, would be exempt from the rule.
Sir Keir insisted all public servants would be covered by the duty of candour at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
It is now expected that security chiefs will not be exempt, and will need to make a court application for any disclosures to be left out.
Ian Byrne, the Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, who was at Hillsborough when the disaster happened, said the 97 who died were “killed at the hands of a corrupt state”.
Addressing Sir Keir, he said: “Prime Minister, this is your responsibility; it is within your power to take control of this process and make good on your promise to deliver this legislation.
“So will you commit today to ruling out any carve out for security services and finally delivering a full Hillsborough law worthy of the name, or will they be failed by the state once again?”
Sir Keir responded: “I am personally committed to working with the families to get this Bill right. It is integral that their views are heard.
“We’re discussing this precise issue with the families. I reaffirm my commitment to delivering the legislation to ensuring the duty of candour applies to all public servants.”
It comes as Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot said he was “surprised” the law had not been introduced, ahead of the anniversary.
“I have also been told about the campaign for a Hillsborough Law and having listened to the reasons and knowing the story behind them, it surprises me that this is still to be introduced,” he wrote in his programme notes.
“This is not an opinion based on my association with Liverpool FC either. It is the view of someone who believes bereaved families should not have to fight and campaign for the truth about how their loved ones lost their lives, it should be provided as a matter of course.”
In 2025, families of the 97 said they could not sign on to any law that gave spy bosses an ‘out’ in any such enquiries.
Downing Street said the legislation would return to Parliament “soon” but refused to commit to bringing it back before the King’s Speech in May.