Victims of national scandals come together today to warn a promised new law named in honour of Hillsborough victims must be “all or nothing”.
As the anniversary of the 1989 tragedy approaches they say the “Hillsborough Law“- to prevent state cover-ups – should be introduced “without dilution or caveat”. A new report published by the Inquest charity today brings together voices of some of the worst failings of public services and injustices in British history.
They include victims’ families of the Hillsborough disaster, which led to the deaths of 97 football fans, the Post Office scandal, the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and nuclear test veterans. The proposed law would create a legal duty of candour for all public officials, such as police officers, with criminal penalties for lying or withholding information.
Families told Inquest it is “critical” this is included in the legislation to end the culture of denials and cover-ups. They also want the promised law to provide funding for families’ legal costs after state failures.
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James died in the disaster, said: “After hearing the stories of all the other families fighting for justice, I am more determined than ever to demand that the Hillsborough Law presented to Parliament is all or nothing. This is the legacy of families and survivors – the bill has got to be right.”
Charlotte Hennessy, whose father Jimmy also died, added: “It has been devastating to learn how the lies and cover-ups we faced as Hillsborough families and survivors have been felt by so many others. We must make it easier for families and victims to find out the truth about what happened to their loved ones.
“That’s why I will keep fighting for a Hillsborough Law – for my dad, for the 97 and for everyone else affected by the state’s lies and cover-ups. Hillsborough Law is our opportunity for real accountability and change.”
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Lobby Akinnola, who lost his father, Femi, to Covid in April 2020, said: “This report speaks with a clarity that bereaved families know too well — the system isn’t broken; it’s working exactly as designed to protect institutions and wear families down. The Hillsborough Law is not a symbolic fix. It’s a practical one — a duty of candour, equal access to legal representation, and real oversight.”
Grenfell United’s Natasha Elcock said “so many institutions and companies” had tried to protect their reputations following the 2017 west London tower block fire which claimed the lives of 72 people.
She added: “Why is it so easy for public and private agencies to escape accountability and scrutiny? Establishing a duty of candour could prevent this, help us learn from failures and ensure bereaved and survivors are properly supported. This is why a Hillsborough Law is so urgent.”
Last week The Mirror reported Hillsborough families were told that Keir Starmer will fail to meet his pledge to bring in a new law by the next anniversary of the disaster.
Deborah Coles, Director at Inquest, said: “At the family listening day, we heard about some of the worst failings of our public services and legal system over decades. This institutional defensiveness and cruelty to families must end. While a further delay by Government is disappointing, it must now be used as an urgent opportunity to ensure the bill meets families’ demands. The evidence in our report is too compelling and stark to ignore. Anything less will be a betrayal.”
A government spokesman said: “We thank INQUEST for their report, and pay tribute to the victims and their loved ones who have worked tirelessly to get the justice they deserve.
“Having consulted with Hillsborough families and campaign groups over the past few weeks, we believe more time is needed to draft the best version of a Hillsborough Law. We remain fully committed to bringing in this legislation at pace, which will include a legal duty of candour for public servants and criminal sanctions for those who refuse to comply.”
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