Lord David Blunkett has told peers he deeply regrets not doing more for Hillsborough families after the disaster that killed ninety seven Liverpool fans. The former home secretary says greater political responsibility could have shortened the long campaign for the Hillsborough Law, which would introduce a legally enforceable duty of candour for public authorities.
Lord David Blunkett addressed the House of Lords regarding the public office accountability bill, commonly referred to as the Hillsborough Law. In his statement, the former Member of Parliament for the Sheffield area acknowledged his own actions and lack of action as a cabinet minister and conveyed his profound regret for not doing more to support the families of the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster.
The tragedy, which occurred during an FA Cup semi-final, resulted in the deaths of 97 football fans.
During his speech, Blunkett noted that the Members of Parliament involved at the time were provided with entirely inaccurate briefings by the police. He emphasized that had the political leadership taken greater responsibility following the disaster, the legislative process could have been significantly expedited. Blunkett praised the families of the victims for their unwavering tenacity and commitment to pursuing change. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a legally enforceable duty of candor. This would require public officials and authorities to act transparently during investigations and official inquiries.
The bill, which originated as a commitment from the Labour Party, was originally scheduled for the 36th anniversary of the disaster but faced delays due to concerns regarding its application to intelligence agencies. Following amendments made in July, the proposal now includes safeguards for intelligence information while maintaining a secure process. Blunkett took the opportunity to pay tribute to Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham for their efforts in advancing the bill. While acknowledging his own past shortcomings, Blunkett maintained that the false briefings provided on the day of the disaster remain an enduring stain on the South Yorkshire Police.
