Bill for Hillsborough Law set to be approved by MPs

The long-delayed bill to create a Hillsborough Law is expected to be approved by MPs next week after the government confirmed it could return to Parliament before the summer recess.

Downing Street withdrew the legislation from the parliamentary agenda in January following disagreements over how far it would require intelligence services to comply with a proposed legal "duty of candour" on public bodies and officials.

The legislation – formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill – is now expected to be passed by the House of Commons on Tuesday, paving the way for it to become law by the autumn.

The 1989 Hillsborough disaster claimed 97 lives after a crush during the FA Cup semi-final.

A government source has told the BBC that ministers have now agreed a new amendment, which campaigners say means there will be no exemption for the intelligence services.

Police spread false narratives blaming Liverpool fans, and withheld evidence of their own failings after the disaster at Sheffield Wednesday's ground.

Fresh inquests held in 2016 found that the Liverpool fans had been unlawfully killed, and it was the police who had caused or contributed to their deaths.

The Hillsborough Law would create a legal duty for public officials to tell the truth to inquiries and investigations.

Hillsborough survivor Ian Byrne MP, who has led the parliamentary campaign for the law, told the BBC: "I'm absolutely delighted, and above all relieved, that we have finally secured the Hillsborough Law.

"This is a lasting legacy for the 97, for the survivors, the bereaved families, and for every person who has suffered at the hands of the state and been denied truth and justice."

Sources close to the discussions said Andy Burnham, the likely next prime minister and a long-standing supporter of the Hillsborough families and survivors, helped persuade ministers to allow the bill to proceed without the changes campaigners had feared.

However Sir Keir Starmer is also understood to have been keen to secure an agreement before leaving office, having made a personal promise to relatives of some Hillsborough victims that he would implement the law as prime minister.

Campaigner Jenni Hicks, whose two teenage daughters Sarah and Victoria died in the crush, thanked the PM.

She told the BBC: "I've asked Keir Starmer to make this his prime ministerial legacy, not just for the 97 victims of Hillsborough, the survivors and their families, but to ensure accountability for all victims of state wrongdoing.

"I'd like to thank Keir Starmer for finally listening and doing the right thing, which is long overdue."

Charlotte Hennessy, whose father James was among the 97 killed in the tragedy, was among the Hillsborough relatives who received a personal promise from Sir Keir Starmer that he would implement a Hillsborough Law as prime minister.

She told the BBC: "The prime minister made us a promise and he has fulfilled it, that is a clear testament to the man he is.

"A special thank you to Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham for pushing together to get this bill back on track."

Alex Davies-Jones MP, who led the government's work on the legislation before resigning as victims minister in May, said the bill has been "an unnecessary uphill battle".

She told the BBC: "It is long overdue, but when it does finally reach royal assent it will totally change how victims and the public are treated.

"The bill is about honesty, accountability, respect and justice.

"It's a legacy to all those who never gave up in their fight for truth, justice and accountability."

A government source told the BBC: "This is an overwhelming victory after months of hard work to find a solution that ensures we have a duty of candour that applies to the intelligence services without compromising national security.

"The Hillsborough Law will fundamentally change the balance of power so the state can never hide from the people it is supposed to serve, and so victims can always get justice."

Pete Weatherby KC, director of Hillsborough Law Now, told the BBC: "The government has at last accepted that there will be no carve outs or exemptions for the new duty of candour.

"All relevant minister have personally signed off on what will be landmark changes to public accountability and bring an end to official cover-ups."

Sir Keir Starmer is also understood to have been keen to secure an agreement before leaving office, having made a personal promise to relatives of some Hillsborough victims that he would implement the law as prime minister.