An incoming Labour government will level the playing field for bereaved families faced with inquests and inquiries where public bodies are represented, the party announced today.
Ahead of its party conference in Liverpool, which begins on Sunday, Labour said it will put ‘Hillsborough Law’ onto the statute book if it comes into power.
Through legal aid, victims of disasters or state-related deaths will receive parity of legal representation during inquests and inquiries, ‘putting them on a level playing field with public bodies which are represented’.
An independent public advocate will act as a representative for bereaved families. They would advocate for the family’s best interests, and establish a panel to review all the evidence, documentation and data relating to the tragedy.
A duty of candour would require public authorities and officials to proactively cooperate with official investigations.
Public authorities would also be required to publish a ‘code of ethics’ that promotes ethical behaviour, transparency and candour. The code would have to take account of the Seven Principles of Public Life, provide reasonable protection for whistleblowers, and offer a publicly accessible complaints system.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘Labour stands unequivocally with the Hillsborough families. We've repeatedly called for the Hillsborough Law and making it reality would be a priority of my Labour government.
‘As director of public prosecutions, I spoke with the Hillsborough families, before the Independent panel would decide whether criminal trials or an inquest should come first. Their raw pain was matched by their inspirational courage. Nobody should ever have to endure what they've been through.
‘In July this year I visited the Hillsborough memorial and met with campaigner Margaret Aspinall, whose son James was amongst the victims of the tragedy. For Margaret, for James, and the 96 other lives tragically lost, we will change the law to stop this happening again.’
Solicitor Elkan Abrahamson, head of major inquests and inquiries at Broudie Jackson Canter, acted for 20 families during the Hillsborough inquests and is one of the architects of the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, referred to as ‘Hillsborough Law’.
Abrahamson said there was no need to wait for a general election to introduce the proposed legislation, which would end ‘David v Goliath type battles’.
‘This is an issue of national importance. As the country awaits the start of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, arguably the most extensive and far-reaching public inquiry this country has ever seen, the bill’s reintroduction could not be timelier, and would give the inquiry’s core participants confidence in the government’s commitment to openness and honesty,’ he said.
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