Fresh hope for H'boro Law after talks in city

THERE is fresh hope that an effective Hillsborough Law will come to fruition after high level talks between government officials and campaigners in Liverpool yesterday.

- By LIAM THORP ECHO Political Editor [e-mail] @Liam ThorpECHO

The ECHO understands talks ended positively over the landmark legislation that the Prime Minister has promised to deliver.

A government delegation, including Attorney General Richard Hermer and other officials, met with key figures behind the Hillsborough Law Now campaign on Merseyside to discuss details of the package of measures that the government intends to bring forward.

The families of the 97 Liverpool fans who died as a result of the disaster in Sheffield in 1989 and many others have long been campaigning for a change in the law.

The proposed law seeks to bring in a legal responsibility for public servants to tell the truth - referred to as a duty of candour. It would also ensure legal funding is provided to people affected by state-related disasters.

The aim is to avoid cover-ups from Hillsborough to the Infected Blood Scandal to The Post Office.

In September 2022, leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer stood up at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool and pledged that if his party were to get into power, they would make a Hillsborough Law a reality.