Families and individuals impacted by the Hillsborough tragedy were let down to an extreme degree, as Keir Starmer emphasized to Members of Parliament. Starmer presented the much-anticipated Hillsborough Bill, aiming for it to serve as a lasting symbol of justice for the 97 football supporters who lost their lives in the 1989 incident. While addressing the Commons, Starmer stressed the importance of acknowledging the significant failure of the British state in providing justice to the Hillsborough families and victims.
The proposed legislation will establish a legal obligation of transparency for all public officials, including law enforcement officers, with severe penalties for dishonesty or withholding information. It intends to put an end to the unequal struggle faced by individuals seeking justice, by expanding access to legal assistance.
Starmer highlighted that the Hillsborough incident was not merely a tragedy but an injustice, exacerbated by the prolonged mistreatment by authorities and cover-ups. The families of the victims have been embroiled in a prolonged battle marked by deceit and false accusations. This struggle mirrors similar systemic failures seen in other cases such as the Horizon scandal, Grenfell Tower, infected blood incidents, Windrush scandal, and grooming gang cases.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the recurring pattern of the state failing to address injustices, particularly when the victims belong to marginalized groups. The Hillsborough Bill aims to rectify this recurring injustice by ensuring fair treatment and acknowledgment for all affected parties.
It was not until 2016 that the initial inquest findings were overturned, with verdicts of unlawful killing finally recorded. A preceding independent inquiry identified the lack of police control as the primary cause of the disaster, with critical lapses in crowd safety measures. Additionally, the inquiry revealed that better coordination among emergency services could have potentially saved 41 lives.
Despite subsequent legal proceedings failing to hold anyone accountable, a report by Bishop James Jones of Liverpool attributed the systemic failures to a culture of unchecked power and condescension.