Families and victims of the Hillsborough disaster were severely let down, according to Keir Starmer’s address to Members of Parliament. He presented the much-anticipated Hillsborough Bill as a means of achieving justice for the 97 football supporters who lost their lives in the tragic events of 1989. The Prime Minister assured that the Bill would not be diluted, providing closure for the families who endured years of pain.
The proposed legislation will establish a legal obligation of openness for all public officials, including law enforcement officers, with harsh penalties for dishonesty or withholding information. It aims to level the playing field by expanding access to legal assistance, ending the unequal struggle faced by the victims’ families.
Addressing the Commons, Mr. Starmer emphasized the systemic failure of the British state in its handling of the Hillsborough tragedy, labeling it as a grave injustice rather than a mere accident. He condemned the cover-up orchestrated by institutions meant to uphold justice, tarnishing the nation’s history.
The Hillsborough disaster, where fans were wrongly accused of causing a fatal crush during an FA Cup semi-final match, marked the beginning of a series of similar failures, as highlighted by Mr. Starmer. These include the Horizon scandal, Grenfell Tower, infected blood, Windrush, and grooming gang atrocities.
Acknowledging a recurring pattern of injustice towards marginalized groups, the Prime Minister stressed the need for the Bill to rectify these longstanding issues. It was not until 2016 that the initial inquest findings were overturned, revealing unlawful killings. An independent inquiry prior to this had attributed the disaster to police mismanagement and the failure to ensure crowd safety.
Despite subsequent legal proceedings failing to hold anyone accountable, a report by Bishop James Jones identified systemic deficiencies stemming from unchecked authority. The ongoing struggle for justice in the aftermath of Hillsborough serves as a reminder of the imperative to address institutional failures and provide closure for the affected families.
