Hillsborough Law: Keir Starmer promises support for disaster victims

Plans for a “Hillsborough law” that would force public bodies to co-operate with investigations into major disasters are expected to be announced by the prime minister.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to tell the Labour Party conference in Liverpool later that the law will be brought before Parliament ahead of the 36th anniversary of the disaster in April next year.

A terrace crush at an FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield on 15 April 1989 resulted in the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.

The prime minister will also announce that work has already begun to recruit a new independent public advocate (IPA) to represent disaster victims and their families.

Campaigners, including relatives of those who died at Hillsborough, have for many years called for disaster victims and their families to be granted more legal rights and support.

The Hillsborough Law will introduce a legal duty of candour on public bodies, with the potential for criminal sanctions for officials or organisations which mislead or obstruct investigations.

Sir Keir will say he is honouring a commitment he made during a speech in Liverpool two years ago.

He is expected to say: “That was when I promised, on this stage, that if I ever had the privilege to serve our country as prime minister, one of my first acts would be to bring in a Hillsborough Law – a duty of candour.

“A law for Liverpool. A law for the 97. A law that people should never have needed to fight so hard to get. But that will be delivered by this Labour government.”

It is expected the duty of candour will be supported by a code of ethics for public bodies and authorities.

This is intended to address a “culture of defensiveness” seen in the wake of disasters such as Hillsborough and the Grenfell Tower fire, as well as scandals involving infected blood, Windrush, and the Post Office Horizon IT system.

The draft new law will see the government take forward recommendations made by Bishop James Jones in his 2017 report which examined the experiences of the Hillsborough families in the years following the disaster.

An IPA would be sent to the scene of any future public disaster, playing a pivotal role in ensuring victims, survivors, and bereaved families get the information and support they need.

The advocate is expected to be in post by next summer. They would inform victims about sources of support, legal advice and services available to them.

The role would also help victims understand actions taken by public authorities in relation to the incident, including how to navigate inquiries, inquests and other formal processes that may follow a public disaster.

The IPA would also communicate with public authorities on behalf of victims.