The legislation, named after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, would require greater transparency from public bodies during investigations. It will now face further scrutiny in the House of Lords.
The UK House of Commons has unanimously approved the Public Office Accountability Bill, widely known as the Hillsborough Law. This landmark legislation introduces a legally enforceable duty of candor, requiring public officials and authorities to act with honesty and transparency during official investigations and public inquiries. The bill represents a major achievement for the families of the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, who spent decades campaigning for the truth about the crush that resulted in the deaths of 97 football supporters.
Margaret Aspinall, a long-time Hillsborough campaigner, emphasized the monumental nature of this law. According to Aspinall, the legislation is crucial because it provides support for people who need funding, particularly in cases involving state-related deaths, and ensures they have access to legal aid. She explained that the families often faced immense obstacles, including obstruction from public authorities, in their long pursuit of justice.
During the debate, Andy Burnham, MP for Makerfield, described the bill as a "rewiring of the state" that shifts power from authorities to ordinary people. Burnham stated, "As we pass this momentous piece of legislation—a piece of legislation that will change the way this country thinks and works about justice—it truly is a rewiring of the state and a passing of power from the authorities to the hands of ordinary people."
He also acknowledged the Prime Minister’s commitment to a country based on fairness and justice.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to the families, noting that they had waited far too long for progress. He praised the victims' families for their persistence in fighting for the truth, stating, "The Hillsborough families fought so that no family like them should ever have to endure and suffer what they went through." Starmer added that the actions of these families will provide protections for individuals and families in the future, even if they remain unknown to one another.
The legislation will now proceed to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. Supporters believe that if passed into law, the bill will fundamentally change how public bodies respond to serious failures and help prevent future families from enduring the lengthy, difficult search for answers that the Hillsborough families faced.
