The government is accused of ‘betrayal’ by Hillsborough campaigners over its failure to introduce new legislation
- Legislation was recommended in report by the Bishop of Liverpool six years ago
- READ MORE: Chiefs apologise for ‘profound failings’ over Hillsborough disaster
Campaigners have accused the Government of ‘betrayal’ after ministers stopped short of introducing a ‘Hillsborough Law’.
The legislation was recommended in a report by the Bishop of Liverpool six years ago, after inquests into the deaths of 97 Liverpool football fans crushed at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield.
The Right Rev James Jones called for the Government to give ‘full consideration’ to a law introducing a legal duty of candour on public officials to tell the truth and co-operate with official inquiries.
But finally responding yesterday, the Government said it had signed up to a Hillsborough Charter, pledging to place the public interest above its own reputation, but stopped short of legislation.
It will also consult on extending legal aid so bereaved families have an ‘equality of arms’ in legal representation during inquiries into public disasters, but no firm pledge has yet been made.
Campaigners have accused the Government of ‘betrayal’ after ministers stopped short of introducing a ‘Hillsborough Law’. Pictured: Thousands of flowers, wreaths and tributes are displayed after the 1989 disaster
Margaret Aspinall (pictured today), whose 18-year-old son James died at Hillsborough, said ‘it’s like giving a child a packet of crisps but when you open it there’s nothing in it’
In April 1989, 97 football fans died. Victims were smashed against metal fences, trampled on or suffocated in the crush
The Right Rev Jones said ‘significant changes’ had been introduced in response to his report.
He added: ‘Although the Government’s statement falls short of the hopes of the Hillsborough families it is a serious and substantial response.’
READ MORE: Top minister ‘hid in a cupboard’ to avoid meeting Hillsborough families, ex-PM Theresa May reveals
But the announcement left bereaved families angry.
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James died at Hillsborough, said: ‘To me, it’s like giving a child a packet of crisps but when you open it there’s nothing in it.
‘It’s as simple as that. To me, that definitely does not go far enough.’
And the Hillsborough Survivors Association said: ‘We demand something really simple, that laws are put in place to ensure any repetition of the police lies over Hillsborough would result in criminal charges.’
Elkan Abrahamson, solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter and director of campaign group Hillsborough Law Now, said the announcement was a ‘meaningless code of conduct’ for the police.
Deborah Coles, director of Inquest, a charity which helps bereaved families in cases of state failings, said: ‘The failure of the Government to extend the duty of candour to all public authorities and end the inequality of arms is a betrayal and insult to Hillsborough families.’
Home Secretary James Cleverly and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said they were ‘deeply sorry’ the response had taken ‘too long’.
Pictured last October: Deborah Coles, director of Inquest, a charity which helps bereaved families in cases of state failings
Rishi Sunak also apologised for the ‘multiple injustices’ suffered by families of the victims over the past 34 years.
The Government’s response stated it was ‘not aware’ of any gaps in legislation or clarifications needed that would further encourage a culture of candour among public servants in law.
Inquests into the Hillsborough deaths concluded in 2016 and found that fans were unlawfully killed and errors by the police and ambulance service caused or contributed to their deaths.
Match commander on the day, David Duckenfield, was charged with gross negligence manslaughter in 2017 but acquitted in 2019 at a retrial, after the jury in his first trial was unable to reach a verdict.
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