Today, the family members of the 97 individuals who lost their lives at Hillsborough in 1989 will learn about the government’s plan to address the changes suggested by an official report from six years ago, which detailed their experiences.
In 2016, the former bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, was asked by then home secretary Theresa May to write a report. This was in response to a new investigation that found the 97 individuals who lost their lives at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest were killed unlawfully.
The jury determined that the fatalities in the overcrowding incident on the Leppings Lane terrace were a result of Ch Supt David Duckenfield’s grossly negligent actions as the commanding South Yorkshire police officer on duty during the match.
The jury rejected the force and individual officers’ claims that Liverpool supporters were responsible for misbehaving at Hillsborough, which had been used as evidence for decades following the disaster. They determined that the supporters’ behavior did not contribute to the disaster. This ruling marked the end of a 25-year effort by the families to fight against the police’s false statements and the 1991 inquest’s verdict of accidental death.
Jones presented 25 key lessons in his report, primarily focused on preventing concealment by law enforcement and government agencies, and promoting improved treatment of those who have lost loved ones. The goal is to prevent a recurrence of the pain and anguish experienced by the Hillsborough families.
The government’s delayed response to the report published in 2017 has caused additional frustration and distress for families. They have urged for a “Hillsborough law” to be passed as a lasting outcome of their fight for justice. This proposed law, written by Pete Weatherby KC, who represented 22 families during the 2014-16 inquests, would establish a legally binding “duty of candour”. This would oblige police and public authorities to be transparent and cooperate fully with investigations and court proceedings following a major incident.
One of the main suggestions in the proposed law is to provide equal funding for legal representation to those who have lost a loved one during inquests and public inquiries related to a significant event. This funding would match the amount available to law enforcement, public entities, and businesses involved in the incident.
The government suggested adding a “duty of candour” to the code of practice for police chief constables. This would mandate them to ensure that their officers behave in an honest and transparent manner.
Relatives of the Hillsborough victims have expressed their disappointment with the proposed measures, stating that they are inadequate as they only pertain to police officers, lack specificity, and do not seem to hold the same legal weight as the proposed Hillsborough legislation.
Steve Kelly, whose brother Mike, aged 38, was among the 97 fatalities at Hillsborough, stated: “We are dedicated to Hillsborough legislation, in order to spare families the pain and struggle of seeking the truth for years as we did. Our fight can also serve as inspiration for others. If the government’s reaction to Bishop James’s report does not meet the standards of Hillsborough law after six years, I will not approve of it.”
In September, Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, stated to the Liverpool Echo his dedication to implementing the Hillsborough law should his party emerge victorious in the upcoming election.
Source: theguardian.com
