Members of Parliament unanimously approved the Hillsborough Law during a debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday [1].
The legislation marks a fundamental shift in how the British government handles public accountability. By establishing a legal duty of candour, the law aims to prevent the state from concealing information or misleading the public during investigations into tragedies.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) addressed the House of Commons in Westminster to secure the measure. He said the bill will make sure nobody else has to suffer like the victims and their families [2].
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the legislation is a rewiring of the state [3]. The law is designed to ensure that public bodies, including intelligence services, are held accountable for their actions and failures [4].
Support for the bill was absolute, with 100 percent of voting MPs backing the measure [1]. The move follows years of campaigning by families of the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, who sought a legal mechanism to prevent the state from obstructing the truth.
Labour MP Ian Byrne, who was present during the 1989 disaster, spoke during the proceedings. He said he cannot put into words what the law means for those involved [2].
The duty of candour created by the bill requires public officials to be open and honest about errors or failures. This requirement is intended to reshape the relationship between the public and the state [5].
“The Hillsborough law is a rewiring of the state.”
The passage of the Hillsborough Law establishes a legal precedent for transparency in the UK. By mandating a 'duty of candour,' the state can no longer legally shield public bodies or intelligence services from disclosure during official inquiries, effectively lowering the barrier for families and victims to seek justice against government negligence.
