The Hillsborough Law, a pioneering piece of legislation aimed at preventing state institutions from intentionally misleading the public, is on the cusp of becoming law after years of tireless campaigning by families who lost loved ones in the 1989 disaster. This landmark bill represents a seismic shift towards greater accountability and transparency from those in power, with far-reaching implications for the way public bodies operate.
The bill's roots lie in the harrowing events at Hillsborough, where 97 innocent Liverpool football fans were killed in a crush caused by gross negligence manslaughter on the part of match commander David Duckenfield. For decades, the families fought against false narratives propagated by South Yorkshire Police that unfairly blamed supporters for the tragedy. It wasn't until 2016, following a second inquest, that justice was finally served and the truth about that fateful day was revealed. Tragically, Andrew Devine, one of the victims, died in 2021 from injuries sustained during the disaster.
The Hillsborough families' unwavering determination has driven this legislation forward. They have long advocated for a 'duty of candour', which would compel public officials and authorities to tell the truth, alongside greater equality in legal funding for individuals seeking justice against public bodies. This issue was starkly highlighted during the first inquest, where families were denied public funding for legal representation while senior police officers and other public bodies benefited from state-funded teams.
The journey to this milestone has been long and arduous. The concept of a 'duty of candour' was initially proposed as a private member's bill by Labour MP Andy Burnham in 2017, but it struggled to gain traction under the previous Conservative administration. It wasn't until Labour's election in 2024 that this crucial legislation became a defining manifesto commitment, with former Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally championing its passage through parliament.
Starmer's stewardship of the bill marks a significant legacy as he hands over to Andy Burnham, who is poised to become Britain's next Prime Minister. With 349 Labour MPs backing him – including all eligible members of Starmer's current cabinet – it seems inevitable that Burnham will secure the top job.