Prime Minister was warned not to let the 97, their families and all those affected by the tragedy be failed again
Sir Keir Starmer speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today
Sir Keir Starmer speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today(Image: PA)
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Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering a Hillsborough Law in full on the 37th anniversary of the disaster in which 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed after he was warned not to let those affected "be failed by the state once again."
The Prime Minister has repeatedly promised to deliver a new landmark piece of legislation, named in honour of the 97, which will put in place a legally bound duty of candour, forcing public servants to tell the truth at inquests and inquiries.
But while it was initially pledged that the new law would be in place for last year's anniversary of the disaster, families and campaigners are still waiting to find out, amid an ongoing row, about how the new law would affect the security services.
At the start of Prime Minister's Questions today (Wednesday, April 15), Sir Keir paid tribute to the victims of the disaster, their families and all those who were affected by the tragedy at Hillsborough Stadium on this day 37 years ago.
He said: "Today marks 37 years since the Hillsborough disaster, when 97 men, women and children went to a football match and never returned.
"My promise remains, working with families, we will deliver a Hillsborough Law, to end the injustice they have suffered and ensure the state will always act for the people that it serves."
In the same session in the House of Commons, Hillsborough survivor Ian Byrne, the parliamentary lead for the new law campaign, challenged Sir Keir to deliver on his promise.
MP Ian Byrne is a Hillsborough survivor and the Parliamentary lead for the Hillsborough Law
MP Ian Byrne is a Hillsborough survivor and the Parliamentary lead for the Hillsborough Law
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In a powerful intervention, the MP for Liverpool West Derby said: "37 years ago today, 97 innocent children, women and men went to a football match and were unlawfully killed at the hands of a corrupt state. I was at Hillsborough and I was one of the lucky ones who survived and walked away.
"As Parliamentary lead for the Hillsborough Law, I stand here with a huge sense of obligation to the 97, all the families, including my constituent Debbie Matthews, every survivor and every victim of a state cover up who are all part of this collective campaign."
The MP said that while there are signs of progress towards ending the current stalemate in negotiations over the new law, those involved "have heard this before".
He added: "Prime Minister, this is your responsibility, it is in 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?"
Responding, the Prime Minister thanked Mr Byrne and praised him for his decades of campaigning for Hillsborough justice.
He added: "I am personally committed to working with the families to get this bill right, it is integral that their views are heard. We are discussing this precise issue with the families and I will make sure that he is updated.
"I reaffirm my commitment to delivering the legislation, to ensuring the duty of candour applies to all public servants."