UK Parliament Poised to Pass Hillsborough Law

The UK Parliament is set to approve the Hillsborough Law next week, a bill establishing a legal duty of candour for public officials and bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The legislation stems from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans died during an FA Cup semi-final and were initially blamed by police. Subsequent inquests found the fans unlawfully killed due to police failures.

The bill previously stalled due to disagreements over whether intelligence agencies should be exempt from the duty of candour, potentially allowing them to withhold information citing national security. Families of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing victims also lobbied against such exemptions, noting MI5 had not provided accurate intelligence about the bomber.

Government sources now confirm a new amendment has been agreed upon, ensuring the intelligence services will be subject to the same transparency requirements. Supporters hail the law as a victory for accountability and a lasting legacy for the victims and families impacted by the disaster, as well as a step towards ending cover-ups by the state.