Hillsborough Law to progress in next parliamentary session as ministers urged to “end delays” and “deliver law in full”

Labour pledged to introduce the legislation - which requires public officials to tell the truth during inquiries and investigations – in its 2024 manifesto.

The law takes its name from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in which 97 people died and hundreds were injured following a fatal crush of Liverpool football fans at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield.

In the House of Commons this month, Ian Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, welcomed the Government’s commitment to carry the bill into the next Parliamentary session, but called on ministers to “end the delays and deliver the law in full”.

He added: “Can I also ask my Right Honourable Friend to remind some in Government that negative media briefings against key figures in the campaign risk undermining confidence in the process, and should cease.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had promised to deliver the draft law by 15 April last year.

However, progress was stalled following concerns over a recent proposed amendment that could have allowed intelligence agencies to avoid a statutory duty of candour.

In the House of Commons, Byrne called on Government to deliver the law in full “without carve-outs for the intelligence and security services – as promised, to achieve the cultural change the country desperately needs.”

Lottie Winson