Another missed anniversary, another insult for Hillsborough families. Enough is enough |
Another missed anniversary, another insult for Hillsborough families. Enough is enough
It is now time for the Prime Minister to keep his promise
The progress of the landmark Hillsborough Law has stalled again(Image: Getty Images)
On a sunny Autumn day in September last year, I was honoured to join four remarkable people who lost loved ones in the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 as they stepped into number 10 Downing Street on a truly historic day.
Thirty-six years after their family members were taken from them in the most cruel and horrific way, these people had reached the end goal of their years of tireless campaigning, with the landmark Hillsborough Law set to enter Parliament for the very first time.
But while there was obvious elation and relief that the families had made it to this remarkable point, they carried with them a nervousness and a warning that the battle was not over yet. This is a group of people who have been let down too many times by the British establishment not to remain wary.
And sadly they have been proven right. Because six months on from that day in Downing Street, the Hillsborough families and all the other victims and relatives of different disasters and injustices who have come together to campaign for this landmark legislation find themselves at a painful impasse.
In its simplest form, the Hillsborough Law, if implemented correctly, will bring in a legally enforceable duty of candour, meaning public officials must tell the truth at the first time of asking at inquiries or inquests.
You might wonder why there is a law needed for this, but the countless examples of those involved with the campaign - from the Post Office scandal to infected blood, Grenfell or the Manchester Arena bombing - will tell you how vital it is in this country of ours.
Earlier this year the bill's progress through Parliament became stalled amid a row over how the legislation would affect the nation's intelligence services. The campaigners - including eminent lawyers like Pete Wetherby - have always maintained that the new law would not in any way be a threat to national security.
Hillsborough families met with Sir Keir Starmer last September as the new law was first laid before Parliament(Image: Getty Images)
But the bill was pulled and the impasse continued. Now it has become clear that the legislation will not return to Parliament before the end of this session later this week. With MPs then not reassembling until April 13, it seems highly likely that another anniversary of the day 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed will pass without their legacy being properly honoured with the new law on the statute books.
The Prime Minister previously pledged that the law he has staked his reputation on, would be in place in time for last year's anniversary, marking 36 years after the disaster in Sheffield. For another year of commemorations to pass without that promise being fulfilled is unbearable for those involved.
The families always maintained that there would be elements of the state that would want to dilute or even derail this new law. After all it seeks to fundamentally change the way the establishment operates - and has operated for such a long time. So they knew this would be an ongoing fight.
But now some are starting to lose hope - and who could blame them?
But it was the Prime Minister who made them this promise, who looked them in the eyes and pledged to honour their lost sons, brothers, sisters and daughters with a law that will make this country a fairer place for ordinary people.
It is high time he lived up to that pledge. History will not forgive him if he doesn't.