Hillsborough Law: Justice, transparency and truth for all

Some wounds never heal. Hillsborough. Grenfell. Windrush. These are painful moments when the very people meant to protect us failed us. Moments when families were left not only grieving, but fighting for the truth.

Today, Labour is putting that right. We are bringing forward the Hillsborough Law. This Bill is about honesty, accountability, and justice. It’s about making sure no family ever has to fight the State for the truth again.

What does it mean in practice? First, it puts a legal duty of candour on every public official. That means you tell the truth, you act with honesty, you act with integrity. No more cover-ups. No more shifting the blame. If you mislead the public or refuse to cooperate with investigations, you’ll face criminal sanctions, including prison.

Second, it gives bereaved families the support they should always have had. Legal aid, without means testing, so ordinary people are never again left to battle powerful institutions alone at inquests.

Third, it makes it a crime to mislead the public in a serious way. Because we’ve seen too many times what happens when those in authority think they can twist the truth and get away with it.

This Bill belongs to the 97 who lost their lives at Hillsborough. But it also belongs to every family who stood up, year after year, when they were let down. Their courage and determination is why this law is happening.

Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones MP

As your MP for Blackpool South, I’m proud to back the Hillsborough Law now. Because this isn’t just about what happened in Liverpool, or London – it’s about trust in the system we all rely on. It’s about saying never again will the State close ranks and betray the people it serves.

That’s the promise of the Hillsborough Law. And that’s what Labour is delivering.