Hillsborough Law set to be approved as campaigner expresses delight after decades of fighting for justice | OneFootball

A campaigner whose son died in the Hillsborough disaster has expressed immense joy as a proposed law aimed at enhancing accountability in public office is expected to clear the House of Commons this week.

Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among the 97 Liverpool fans killed in the 1989 tragedy, told the Daily Mirror she was "absolutely delighted, over the moon, absolutely made up".

The legislation, officially titled the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, seeks to establish a legally-enforceable duty of candour. This duty would compel public officials and authorities to act with transparency during investigations and inquiries, a direct response to the systemic failures and cover-ups that followed the Hillsborough disaster. The tragedy saw 97 Liverpool supporters lose their lives in a crush during an FA Cup semi-final match at Sheffield Wednesday’s football stadium.

Ms Aspinall, who chairs the Hillsborough Family Support group, highlighted the significance of the Bill, stating: "When I was speaking to Keir Starmer, I told him this would be a lovely legacy for you to leave behind. I always believed he wanted to give us the Hillsborough Law. It was others stopping him. Now it’s done."

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97 fans lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 (PA Wire)

She emphasised the broader impact, adding: "Our families have worked hard for this, but it’s not for us, it’s for the country. We’ve done it for the people of this country. I’m so proud. People have to tell the truth, whoever they are. The lies have cost millions. The cover-ups have cost millions. The truth costs nothing."

The disaster exposed how key public servants, including the police, failed to disclose the truth about decisions made leading up to the fatal crush at the Leppings Lane end of the ground.

While both Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham have voiced their support for the proposed law, its passage has faced repeated delays due to concerns from security services regarding its potential impact on intelligence operatives.

However, the Government now believes it has found a solution that will ensure individual employees and former employees of the intelligence services are covered by a duty of candour, without compromising national security.

These crucial amendments to the Bill are scheduled for debate this week. A Government source hailed the development as "an overwhelming victory after months of hard work to find a solution that ensures we have a duty of candour that applies to the intelligence services without compromising national security."

The source added: "The Hillsborough Law will fundamentally change the balance of power so the state can never hide from the people it is supposed to serve, and so victims can always get justice."

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Margaret Aspinall (left) is delighted the Hillsborough Law is expected to pass through the House of Commons (PA Wire)

Victims’ minister Catherine Atkinson further clarified the situation on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, stating: "There is no carve-out. What has been absolutely clear is that there will be a duty of candour, but it’s the way that it is carried out. So, in consultation with the security services, we’ve ensured that there are safeguards so that information that’s provided is done so securely and appropriately."

The latest amendments outline a process where intelligence employees would submit information under the duty of candour to the head of their respective organisation, who would then be responsible for forwarding it to public investigators.

The Hillsborough Law Now campaign, a long-standing advocate for the legislative change, welcomed the news of the Bill’s return to the Commons.

They described it as "a major step towards delivering the landmark changes that bereaved families and survivors have fought for over decades to prevent state cover-ups."