Hillsborough Law: A Labour promise made and delivered

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill - The Hillsborough Law - was introduced to Parliament on September 16.

- Sharon Hodgson

For the families of the 97 lives lost at the Hillsborough disaster, the hundreds who were injured and the brave families who tirelessly fought for change ever since - this day would have been a moment of huge relief.

Indeed, for everyone up and down this country, my constituents and beyond, this landmark law will provide protection, and will at last close the chapter on the days where accountability could be avoided by public officials and authorities.

This law, therefore, does not just serve as a means of restorative justice for families affected by the Hillsborough disaster, but will also provide protection via a legal duty of candour for future victims of scandals; ensuring the truth can never be concealed by the state without consequence once again.

The culture of cover-ups, unfortunately, extends beyond the single incident of the Hillsborough disaster.