Hillsborough advocate Margaret Aspinall has urged Keir Starmer to fulfill his commitment and enact a law to prevent future state concealments without delay. Aspinall, who lost her son in the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy, expressed frustration over the delays in implementing the Hillsborough Law. In a direct message to Starmer, she emphasized the importance of keeping his promise to introduce the law in its entirety.
The call for action comes ahead of the upcoming 37th anniversary of the disaster, which took place during an FA Cup semi-final match at Hillsborough Stadium. Aspinall, along with other families affected by the tragedy, has been tirelessly campaigning for justice for more than three decades.
The proposed legislation, known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, aims to establish a “duty of candour” requirement for public officials to act honestly or potentially face criminal consequences. However, the bill faced setbacks earlier this year due to disagreements over its application to security services like MI5.
Following a decision to withdraw the bill from consideration in the Commons, negotiations between Hillsborough families, legal representatives, and government officials are ongoing. This delay diminishes the likelihood of the legislation passing before the current parliamentary session concludes.
Aspinall expressed frustration over the prolonged process, highlighting the financial and ethical costs of dishonesty and cover-ups. Supporters of the duty of candour concept include victims of other tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire and the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
Starmer, who has engaged with Aspinall on multiple occasions in various capacities, emphasized the importance of getting the legislation right to address past injustices and ensure a better future. The government reiterated its commitment to introducing new legislation to promote transparency, prevent cover-ups, and uphold public accountability.
The ongoing struggle for justice and transparency dates back a decade, with families of Hillsborough victims gaining renewed hope when the Labour Party came into power. While delays have hampered the progress of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, its core purpose remains to prevent future state cover-ups and hold public officials to a higher standard of honesty and transparency.
