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Hillsborough Law approved by MPs in major step forward

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 22, 2023: Liverpool supporters' banner calling for a Hillsborough Law during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The new Hillsborough Law has taken a big step towards being implemented, having now been approved by MPs in the House of Commons.

The Hillsborough Law, officially known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, has been approved by MPs and will now pass to the House of Lords.

Should the Lords also approve, the bill will then be ready for Royal Assent.

Margaret Aspinall- mother of James Aspinall, Steve Kelly - brother of Michael Kelly, Sue Roberts - sister of Graham Roberts hold Hillsborough Law Now banner - May 18, 2023

If the House of Lords disagree, they can propose amendments and return the bill to the Commons. The two Houses will then send it back and forth until an agreement is reached.

The Hillsborough families have been at the forefront of the campaign to introduce the new law, which would create a legal duty for public officials to tell the truth to inquiries and investigations.

Its introduction was delayed in January due to a proposed Government amendment that would have allowed intelligence agencies to decide whether to co-operate with public inquiries, enabling them to opt out if they thought giving evidence would cause a national security risk.

Briefings from Government sources described campaigners as ‘naive’ and tried to belittle their objective, as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was accused of trying to block the bill.

Journalist David Conn explained to the Guardian why intelligence services should still have a duty of candour:

“At the Manchester Arena inquiry, MI5 was found to have submitted an inaccurate account of intelligence it had relating to the perpetrator of the atrocity.

“The inquiry chair found ultimately that the failure of MI5 to act swiftly on crucial intelligence was a ‘significant missed opportunity’ to take action that might have prevented the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

“The Manchester Arena families are part of the coalition with the Hillsborough families, and the campaign has absolutely insisted that the security services had to be included in the law.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, February 28, 2022: The Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield. The memorial displays the names of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough Stadium Disaster. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Thankfully, the campaigners have finally had a bill approved that would see all public servants required to tell the truth.

It is hard to believe this has not always been the case – Arne Slot even voiced his surprise that such a law was not already in place.

The amended bill now means spies have a duty of candour, but with a ‘secure process’ for disclosing information that could affect national security.

What is the Hillsborough Law?

It was first introduced to Parliament in 2017, with the bill originally drafted by lawyers who represented Hillsborough families during the inquests.

It is endorsed by families and survivors of Hillsborough, as well as campaigners from other state-related scandals, including the Post Office Horizon scandal, the Grenfell fire, the infected blood scandal and more.

The bill seeks to end the culture of cover-ups by holding public officials and authorities to account, ensuring there is accountability and support for bereaved families.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 2, 2025: A Liverpool supporters’ banner “Never Forget” with the eternal flame remembering the 97 victims of the Hillsborough Stadium Disaster before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 246th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The bill includes:

• A legal duty of candour ensuring public officials must support investigations with honesty and integrity, with criminal sanctions for the most serious breaches

• Non-means-tested legal aid for bereaved families and support for inquests

• Criminal sanctions for serious breaches of misleading the public by those in public office

Notably, bereaved families will have publicly funded legal representation at inquests, making sure both sides are on a fair and equal footing, ensuring the state cannot hide behind a large legal team.

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Football – FA Premier League – Nottingham Forest FC v Liverpool FC

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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