By Melanie Dook
35 years on from the disaster where 97 Liverpool fans tragically lost their lives, Keir Starmer confirmed Labour’s continued support for a Hillsborough Law.
Campaigners ‘Hillsborough Law Now’ are an organisation advocating for the law.
They’re built on a coalition of families, activists, leaders and everyday people who want justice, including Hillsborough survivor and Liverpool MP Ian Byrne, the parliamentary lead for the cause.
The idea behind the Hillsborough Law is to create a new legal duty of honesty within public authorities and officials to proactively cooperate with official investigations and inquires.
Hillsborough Law Now stands to ensure victims of disasters or state related deaths are entitled to parity of legal representation during inquests and inquiries.
They aim to guarantee bereaved families have access to public funding, so people in that position never have to crowdfund their inquests again.
In 2022, the Labour Party adopted the campaign and announced a proposed law in their annual conference.
Today, Keir Starmer tweeted: “Making the Hillsborough Law a reality would be a priority of my Labour government.”
He said: “Labour stands unequivocally with the Hillsborough families. We’ve repeatedly called for the Hillsborough Law and making it reality would be a priority of my Labour government.”
As part of the legislation, Labour declared they would introduce: a duty of candour, legal aid, an independent public advocate and a code of ethics.
“Hillsborough Law would be a permanent legacy to all those affected by the events of April 15 1989, and those that have fought and campaigned for the truth, justice and change for the better.”
Keir Starmer’s tweet: https://twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1779773445993070865
For more information on the Hillsborough Law Now: https://hillsboroughlawnow.org/
Our thoughts and prays are with the friends and families of the victims on this day.
Mersey Focus 