MPs voted on Tuesday to pass the Hillsborough Law, a landmark piece of legislation that imposes a legal duty on public officials to tell the truth — a change campaigners called “momentous” after decades of fighting for accountability over the 1989 disaster that killed 97 Liverpool fans.
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, named after the crush during an FA Cup semi-final at Sheffield’s Hillsborough Stadium, was approved in the House of Commons in what Sir Keir Starmer called a “moment of real significance for our country”. The prime minister, who personally steered the legislation through its final stages, told MPs: “We stand on the precipice of change.”
“MPs approved the Hillsborough Law, imposing a duty of candour on public officials to prevent cover-ups.”
The bill is designed to prevent future cover-ups by requiring transparency from public bodies during official inquiries. Its passage follows years of campaigning by bereaved families after investigations found that police had spread false narratives blaming fans and had withheld evidence of their own failings.
Andy Burnham, who is expected to become prime minister on Monday, made his first Commons speech since returning as MP for Makerfield. He described the law as “truly a rewiring of the state and a passing of power from the authorities to the hands of ordinary people”. Burnham added: “We can’t take that hurt away tonight. But we can put decency back at the heart of the British state.”
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among the 97 killed, said: “All I can say is what a momentous day it’s been today, what a great win for the people of this country. It’s not about the Hillsborough families — it’s for people who are still fighting to get truth.” Charlotte Hennessy, whose father died, acknowledged “all the other campaigners that are not with us today”. Sue Roberts, whose brother Graham died aged 24, said: “The truth costs nothing. Lies have cost this country millions of pounds.”
Starmer credited the campaigners, saying they had “taught me to listen, over many, many years, to listen properly”. He added: “Time and again the cry for justice was ignored by the British state because of who the victims are — because they’re working class, because they’re black, because they’re women and girls.”
The Conservatives accused the government of rushing the bill through after a series of late amendments. The legislation will now proceed to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before it can become law.
