MPs demand Government not to weaken ‘Hillsborough Law' when bill is passed
MPs have urged the Government not to weaken a law designed to prevent cover-ups in the wake of major disasters, as they call for the "Hillsborough Law" to be passed as soon as possible.
Labour MP Clive Efford warned Commons Leader and Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell that the Public Authorities Accountability Bill, which will include the 'Hillsborough Law', should not be changed under pressure from Whitehall.
Mr Efford asked for it to be passed before the end of July.
Meanwhile his party colleague Liverpool and West Derby MP Ian Byrne asked for the Bill to be 'worthy of the name'.
The proposed law would require public bodies to have a duty of candour, meaning they would need to co-operate with official inquiries and tell the truth in the aftermath of major disasters – or face criminal sanctions.
A previous deadline set by Labour, that the Bill would be passed before the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in April, has been missed.
The Government had said it needed more time to finalise the Bill.
A draft Bill has been criticised by campaigners, including the Hillsborough Law Now group, for not containing pledges previously made – including the duty of candour.
In March it was reported that a meeting between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and campaigners had been cancelled, with claims officials were attempting to have the contents of the Bill watered down.
Mr Byrne told the Commons: 'The Prime Minister promised my city and all those affected by state cover-ups that the Hillsborough Law would be introduced before April 15 of this year – the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
'Almost two months have passed since the Prime Minister missed that deadline.
'This is particularly disappointing, since there is a draft Hillsborough Law ready to go, written by legal experts, endorsed by survivors, families, campaigners and proposed in Parliament by Andy Burnham.'
The Liverpool West Derby MP added that 'a failure to introduce a Hillsborough Law worthy of the name will be seen as a continuation of the betrayal of families and survivors of Hillsborough and all those affected by state cover-ups'.
Lucy Powell said the Government was 'working at pace' and was co-operating with families and their representatives.
She said: 'At these times, we always remember those affected by the Hillsborough disaster but particularly the plight that they have faced ever since to fight for justice and fight for accountability.'
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