Hillsborough Law Delay Sparks Outrage Among Disaster Victims' Families
Families who lost relatives in major disasters and state injustices have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing his government of an "insult" for failing to introduce the long-promised Hillsborough law in the current parliamentary session. The legislation, which would impose a duty of candour on police and public authorities, has been a Labour pledge for nearly a decade but was withdrawn in January amid ongoing debates.
Security Services at the Heart of the Dispute
At the core of the controversy is the application of the duty of candour to security services like MI5 and MI6. While Starmer reaffirmed his commitment to the law at the Labour party conference in September, the government has resisted full inclusion of these agencies, citing national security concerns. Families, including those affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, argue that in cases involving security services, judges or inquiry chairs should receive all relevant information to determine what can be safely disclosed publicly.
Despite a series of meetings between Starmer, other ministers, and the families earlier this year, this impasse remains unresolved. The coalition campaigning for the Hillsborough law spans victims of the Hillsborough disaster, the Manchester Arena attack, the Covid pandemic, and historic injustices such as the Post Office and Windrush scandals.
A Letter of Disappointment and Distrust
In their letter, the families expressed deep frustration, stating: "The fact that Hillsborough law has still not been reintroduced to parliament is an insult to all of us who have been working so hard to get to this point. It has undermined our trust in this government to do what they said they would and make this legacy project a reality." They emphasized their hope that future families would not endure the cultures of denial and cover-ups they have faced, calling on Starmer to urge the Home Office to abandon its opposition and meet with them urgently.
Notably, Margaret Aspinall, whose son James was among the 97 killed in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and who introduced Starmer at the party conference, has signed the letter, highlighting the families' "very disappointed" stance with the government.
Government Response and Ongoing Negotiations
Government sources indicate that concerns about the bill persist across multiple departments, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Ministry of Defence, and the Home Office. However, officials are reportedly working on a new amendment to ensure the duty of candour applies to individuals within the security services, claiming it would go beyond what was offered to families in January. Different scenarios are being "stress tested" and consulted on within government, with hopes of reaching an agreement during the next parliamentary session.
A No 10 spokesperson reiterated the prime minister's commitment to national security, stating: "We're committed to getting this bill through parliament, we know that families have waited too long, but we have said repeatedly that we must take the time to get it right. Making sure that the bill is as strong as possible is a testament to their decades campaigning for justice, while never compromising national security."
As tensions rise, the families continue to advocate for transparency and accountability, underscoring the urgent need for legislative action to prevent future injustices.
