Hillsborough Law clears House of Commons

The much-anticipated Hillsborough Law has finally passed the House of Commons this week and takes another step towards achieving Royal Assent.

Yesterday MPs spoke on the Hillsborough Law, officially called the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describing it as “a moment of real significance for our country.”

Paying tribute to Hillsborough campaigners, alongside victims in other disasters such as the Grenfell fire, Sir Keir said: “This is not just a bill for the 97, although it is that, it is a bill for every single working person in this country because, let’s face it, there is a class element to this.

“Time and again the cry for justice was ignored by the British state because of who the victims are – because they’re working class, because they’re black, because they’re women and girls.”

The bill will now proceed to the House of Lords.

What’s in the Hillsborough Law?

• The new law will create a statutory “duty of candour and assistance” (a legal obligation to act transparently) for public authorities and officials when engaging with inquiries, inquests and similar investigations
• A framework to ensure ethical conduct in public authorities, including mandatory codes of conduct
• New criminal offences of failing to uphold the duty of candour and assistance and misleading the public
• Two new statutory offences to replace the common law offence of misconduct in public office
• Introduce “parity of representation” for bereaved families at inquests involving public authorities.

Makerfield MP Andy Burnham said the bill will ensure “justice for ordinary people going forward”.

“It truly is a rewiring of the state and a passing of power from the authorities to the hands of ordinary people,” Burnham told the House.

Long campaign

The Hillsborough Law was a key pledge in the Labour Party’s manifesto at the 2024 general election but had been delayed by proposed amendments creating exemptions for the country’s security and intelligence services.

However, the Government agreed to proceed with the bill without any potential carve outs – something Hillsborough Law campaigners have welcomed.

Long-time Hillsborough campaigner, FSA member and Hillsborough survivor Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, played a crucial role in securing progress for the bill through Parliament.

Speaking at the debate on the bill, he said: “Its purpose is simple, never again should a grieving family have to fight the state simply to discover the truth.

“It’s the start of doing things differently, it’s about people in power telling the truth. It’s about public bodies remembering who they exist to serve and it’s about making sure no family is ever again left to fight the state on their own.

“This law is far more than Hillsborough. It is about the kind of country we choose to be.”

The number 96 has been tattooed on my wrist since 2015.

It reminds me every day that I was one of the lucky ones who came home from Hillsborough.

Today, standing in Parliament to speak as the Hillsborough Law passed was one of the proudest and most emotional moments of my life.… pic.twitter.com/IXUn3juYdz

— lan Byrne MP (@IanByrneMP) July 14, 2026

The FSA welcomed the progress of the bill into the House of Lords and will be following its progress towards Royal Assent in the coming months.

FSA chair Tom Greatrex said: “Supporters across the board will no doubt welcome the Hillsborough Law onto the statute books. Fundamentally the law should stand shoulder to shoulder with those seeking truth and justice.

“The bill’s progress is a testament to the stamina and courage of the Hillsborough survivors and families. Hopefully this is a small step towards repairing the damage Hillsborough did to the public’s trust in our institutions.

“We would also like to praise the huge role that Ian Byrne MP has played in seeing this legislation through – his tenacity, determination and campaigning ability has been exceptional – we are very proud to have him as an FSA member.”