Hillsborough Law Poised To Pass Commons As Campaigner Praises Decades-Long Fight For Truth

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill — widely known as the "Hillsborough Law" — is expected to pass the House of Commons this week, prompting emotional praise from campaigners who have sought accountability for decades. Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among the 97 Liverpool supporters who died at Hillsborough in 1989, described the development as "absolutely delighted, over the moon, absolutely made up."

What the Bill Would Do

The Bill would create a legally enforceable duty of candour requiring public officials and bodies to act transparently when providing information to investigators and inquiries. It is framed as a direct response to the systemic failures and subsequent cover-ups exposed after the crush at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday's ground, which claimed 97 lives at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.

97 fans lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 (PA Wire)

Campaigner Reaction

Ms Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said she had long viewed the law as an important legacy. "When I was speaking to Keir Starmer, I told him this would be a lovely legacy for you to leave behind. I always believed he wanted to give us the Hillsborough Law. It was others stopping him. Now it's done," she said. She added: "Our families have worked hard for this, but it's not for us, it's for the country. People have to tell the truth, whoever they are. The lies have cost millions. The cover-ups have cost millions. The truth costs nothing."

Political And Security Concerns

Senior politicians, including Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham, have voiced support for the Bill. Its passage has been delayed previously amid concerns from the security services over how a duty of candour might affect intelligence operations and national security.

Margaret Aspinall (left) is delighted the Hillsborough Law is expected to pass through the House of Commons (PA Wire)

Amendments To Address Intelligence Safeguards

The Government says it has agreed amendments intended to include current and former intelligence employees under the duty of candour while protecting sensitive information. Under the proposed process, intelligence staff would provide information to the head of their organisation, who would then be responsible for securely forwarding relevant material to public investigators. Victims' minister Catherine Atkinson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there would be "no carve-out" for intelligence work, but the mechanism for sharing information would include safeguards agreed with security services.

"There is no carve-out. What has been absolutely clear is that there will be a duty of candour, but it's the way that it is carried out," Ms Atkinson said.

Next Steps And Campaigners' View

The crucial amendments are due to be debated in the Commons this week. A Government source described the progress as "an overwhelming victory after months of hard work to find a solution that ensures we have a duty of candour that applies to the intelligence services without compromising national security." Campaign group Hillsborough Law Now called the Bill's return to Parliament "a major step towards delivering the landmark changes that bereaved families and survivors have fought for over decades to prevent state cover-ups."

If passed, the legislation would aim to shift the balance of power by making it harder for public institutions to withhold information and by strengthening victims' ability to obtain the truth and pursue justice.