Hillsborough Law Will Not Be Weakened, Says David Lammy
Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy reaffirmed that the long-awaited "Hillsborough Law" will remain strong and uncompromised ahead of its first parliamentary debate. The proposed bill is designed to ensure truthfulness and accountability from officials during investigations into major public disasters.
“The Hillsborough Law will not be watered down,” said David Lammy, emphasizing that the government is committed to passing it in its current, strong form.
The legislation, formally titled the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, was first introduced in the House of Commons in September. It aims to establish a legal duty requiring public officials to act with honesty and transparency during investigations and public inquiries.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had promised to bring the bill before Parliament by the 36th anniversary of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 97 football fans. However, the timeline was extended to allow further redrafting, following campaigners’ worries that the proposal might have been weakened.
If enacted, the bill would make it a criminal offense for public bodies to mislead the public or obstruct investigations into major incidents. It will also secure legal funding for those affected by state-related disasters, promoting fairness and transparency in the justice process.
Background
The push for the Hillsborough Law stems from the 2016 inquests into the tragedy, which revealed that there had been no binding legal duty for public authorities to cooperate transparently in past inquiries. The new legislation seeks to close that gap and ensure accountability in all future cases.
Author’s summary: The Hillsborough Law aims to enforce truth and transparency in disaster investigations, with David Lammy pledging it will pass without dilution.