Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram this evening welcomed a new Hillsborough Law to prevent coverups which will be introduced to Parliament tomorrow.

The landmark legislation will hold public officials and authorities accountable for their actions with a new professional and legal duty of candour – meaning they must act with honesty and integrity at all times or face criminal sanctions.

The landmark legislation follows a decades long campaign by bereaved families.

Mayor Rotheram said:

“Today is a landmark moment – not just for our city, but for the whole country. A day of history making and permanent legislative change. An opportunity to enact a Bill as a lasting legacy to the 97 Hillsborough victims, unlawfully killed in 1989.

“The tabling of The Hillsborough Law is the biggest victory for ordinary people campaigning and organising together in generations – and the most important change in how our justice system treats ordinary citizens – since the Human Rights Act.

“We must never forget that while it was Liverpool supporters who went to Hillsborough that day, the tragedy touched families and communities right across the country. But the same injustices had, and continue to be, a stain on our country’s reputation for fairness and justice. Until today.

“The Hillsborough families will never see true justice done for their loved ones. But because of their tenacity, dignity and refusal to be silenced, no other bereaved families will ever have to endure the same ordeal. That is their legacy – and it will stand for generations to come.

“This Bill is about rebalancing the scales of justice. It is a fitting tribute to the Hillsborough families’ decades-long fight, and proof of the power of ordinary people to force extraordinary change. And while Hillsborough was the catalyst, this reform could just as easily be named after  Grenfell, the contaminated blood scandal, the Post Office scandal or a long list of other injustices.

“I want to thank the Government for listening and acting. This legislation ensures that the lessons of Hillsborough are now finally written into law – so that no other families are ever left to fight alone.”

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill – to be known as the Hillsborough Law – will introduce seismic changes including:

• A new professional and legal Duty of Candour – meaning public officials must act with honesty and integrity at all times – with criminal sanctions for egregious breaches.
• The largest expansion of legal aid in a decade for bereaved families – providing non-means tested help and support for inquests.
• A new offence for misleading the public – the legislation will lead to meaningful cultural changes and a public service that truly acts in the public interest. But for those who don’t, there will be criminal sanctions for the most serious breaches, including for misleading the public in a way which is seriously improper.