There had been disappointment the legislation was not introduced in time for the 36th anniversary
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Close up image of Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister of the UK, talking to a person
Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom(Image: Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images)
The government “remains fully committed” to introducing a Hillsborough Law with work “at pace” to get it right, according to the Deputy Prime Minister. After being trailed at the Labour Party conference last year, there was disappointment when it was confirmed that legislation named in honour of the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives at an FA Cup semi final in 1989 would not be presented in time for the 36th anniversary as set out by Sir Keir Starmer.
The proposed law would require public bodies to have a duty of candour. This means they would need to co-operate with official inquiries and tell the truth in the aftermath of major disasters - or face criminal sanctions.
The Government had said it needed more time to finalise the Bill. Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne - a Hillsborough survivor - asked for the Bill to be "worthy of the name".
During Prime Minister’s Questions this afternoon, Deputy PM Angela Rayner, said legislation would be brought forward “as soon as we’re confident they will deliver the justice victims deserve.” She was questioned on the delay by Anneliese Midgley, Labour MP for Knowsley.
She said: ”Last Saturday marked eight years since Grenfell, eight years fighting for justice. The Hillsborough families, including Margaret Aspinall, from Huyton, have campaigned for 36 years for the Hillsborough law, decades.
“Can the Deputy Prime Minister tell me today will this Labour government bring forward the Hillsborough law without delay? Will it honour promises made to victims of state cover-ups and will it finally deliver justice for the 97?”
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The Hillsborough memorial at Anfield
The Hillsborough memorial at Anfield(Image: Liverpool FC - Handout/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ms Rayner said: “I thank my honourable friend for her question and the work with campaigners like Margaret in their fight for justice. We remain fully committed to bringing a Hillsborough Law.
“The state has failed victims and their families too many times in the past and that is precisely why our focus is on getting the legislation right.
"I can assure her measures will be brought forward as soon as we’re confident they will deliver the justice victims deserve and we want to do this at pace."
Last week, MPs demanded that the government not weaken the proposed Hillsborough Law as they urged it to be passed as soon as possible.
A draft Bill has been criticised by campaigners, including the Hillsborough Law Now group, for not containing pledges previously made - including the duty of candour.
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In March it was reported a meeting between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and campaigners had been cancelled, with claims officials were attempting to have the contents of the Bill watered down.