Campaigners Push for Hillsborough Law Passage
Campaigners advocating for the Hillsborough Law have urged that the bill be fully enacted before the summer concludes, despite the anticipated change in the prime ministership.
Ian Byrne, a survivor of the Hillsborough disaster and Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, has called on Sir Keir Starmer to fulfill the promise made in Labour's 2024 manifesto by ensuring the bill's passage prior to his departure from office.
The Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, originally scheduled for passage in April this year to coincide with the 36th anniversary of the disaster, was delayed due to disagreements concerning a potential opt-out clause for the security services.
"The prime minister's got a real opportunity to do this as part of his legacy," Byrne told the BBC.
The legislation aims to promote increased transparency and accountability from public bodies in the aftermath of significant incidents.
Byrne proposed an amendment to the bill designed to prevent "carve-outs" and urged Sir Keir to guarantee the law's enactment in its intended form.
"That's in his gift to give," Byrne stated.
"I'm really impressing on him to do that because that could be a key part of his legacy. We know it's done then, so all the worry will be off our shoulders."
Concerns Over Further Delays
Charlotte Hennessy, whose father James was among the 97 individuals unlawfully killed in the disaster, expressed to the BBC her support for Andy Burnham's return to Westminster as MP for Makerfield.
However, she indicated that she did not believe it was necessary to await Burnham securing his position as Sir Keir's successor before implementing the legislation.
"It was written in 2017, it's been amended along the way. There's no reason [Sir Keir] can't endorse that original bill," she said.
Burnham has a longstanding history of supporting the Hillsborough campaign. As culture secretary in 2010, he pressured the then Labour government to commission the landmark Hillsborough Independent Panel report.
Hennessy added:
"Andy Burnham launched our campaign group, and Andy also had a part to play in the writing of the bill, so I have got no doubt whatsoever that it's definitely going to be a priority, but my concern is there will still be these barriers from the intelligence agencies."
Campaigners Acknowledge Starmer's Support
In a statement, the Hillsborough Law Now campaign acknowledged Sir Keir Starmer's efforts:
"We recognise that it was Sir Keir Starmer who campaigned for the Hillsborough Law to become a manifesto pledge in 2023, and for that, and for his continued support, we are grateful.
He did not forget us. While we are disappointed by the continued barriers and delays, we thank him for helping us reach this point when many other prime ministers did not even try."
Additional Information
The prime minister met families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster last year.
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Hillsborough Law - what is it and how did we get here?
