The UK government must pass a compulsory grounds safety law to prevent similar incidents in the future, as bereaved families demand justice and accountability for the Hillsborough disaster.
The Hillsborough disaster, which occurred on April 15, 1989, resulted in the tragic loss of 97 lives. The incident was marred by a cover-up and subsequent inaction from authorities, leaving families with unanswered questions and a deep sense of injustice.
The Hillsborough disaster occurred on April 15, 1989, during a soccer match between 'Liverpool' and 'Nottingham Forest' at 'Hillsborough Stadium' in Sheffield, England.
The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 96 fans due to overcrowding and poor stadium design.
An investigation led to widespread criticism of police handling and stadium safety measures.
In 2016, an inquest found that the fans were not responsible for the disaster, exonerating them from blame.
In recent years, bereaved families have been advocating for a legally enforceable ‘duty of candour‘ on public authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future. This concept was first introduced by Pete Weatherby KC, Hillsborough families’ barrister, and has since gained momentum as a key proposal in Labour’s manifesto.
The Hillsborough Law, also known as the Football Spectators Act 1989, is a UK legislation aimed at improving football stadium safety.
Enacted in response to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, it introduced stricter regulations for stadiums, including all-seater stadia and improved crowd control measures.
The law has undergone revisions over the years, with the most recent amendment in 2016.
It requires clubs to implement robust safety protocols, enhance emergency planning, and ensure adequate stewarding.
Despite Keir Starmer‘s repeated promises to introduce the Hillsborough law, the government has been rewriting its proposals, sparking outrage among families. The latest draft of the law, which was co-signed by Shabana Mahmood, Justice Secretary, and Nick Thomas-Symonds, Cabinet Office Minister, has been met with fury from families who feel that it does not go far enough.
Families at a recent ‘family listening day’ event, funded by the Ministry of Justice, emphasized the need for thorough enforcement of the duty of candour. They insisted on sanctions and penalties for public officials who knowingly obstruct justice. The report from the listening day event, titled ‘All or Nothing,’ records the overwhelming view that the government must not retreat from its commitment to guard against future cover-ups.
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was one of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, has stated that she is more determined than ever to demand that the proposed law is introduced in full. Deborah Coles, director of Inquest, described the delay as an ‘urgent opportunity‘ to ensure the law is introduced without compromise.
As the government continues to revise its proposals for the Hillsborough law, it is clear that families will not rest until justice is served. The proposed law must include a strong duty of candour for public servants and criminal sanctions for those who refuse to comply. Anything less would be a betrayal of the promises made by Labour and the trust placed in them by the bereaved families of Hillsborough.
