On Tuesday, September 16, Prime Minister Keir Starmer used a heartfelt Facebook post to announce the introduction of the Hillsborough Law, a landmark piece of legislation inspired by the relentless fight for truth and justice after the Hillsborough disaster. For decades, families of the 97 victims campaigned tirelessly to expose the cover-ups and failings that followed the tragedy. With this law, Starmer seeks to ensure that no other community or grieving family is ever forced to endure such injustice again.
In his post, the Prime Minister reflected on the courage of campaigners who never gave up their pursuit of truth. He spoke of his first meeting with Margaret Aspinall, former chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, praising her strength and determination. Starmer described how survivors and loved ones clung to truth despite decades of smears and lies, fighting a battle that was as exhausting as it was necessary.
“I made a promise,” Starmer wrote, “that I would act so no one else would need to suffer the way they had. Today, I am proud to be making good on that promise by bringing in the Hillsborough Law.”
Justice for the 97
The Hillsborough disaster occurred on April 15, 1989, during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium. A catastrophic crush claimed the lives of 97 men, women, and children, and left hundreds injured. Yet what followed was not only a tragedy of human loss, but also a decades-long ordeal of denial, misinformation, and institutional failure.
For years, grieving families were subjected to lies suggesting fans were responsible for the disaster. It was only through relentless campaigning that the truth emerged: police failures, poor stadium safety, and systemic negligence caused the deaths. The families’ fight culminated in the landmark 2016 inquest verdict, which ruled that the 97 had been unlawfully killed.
The Hillsborough Law is now seen as the next step in this journey — a safeguard to prevent any future tragedy from being compounded by cover-ups or injustice.
Changing the Balance of Power
In his statement, Starmer highlighted that the legislation changes the balance of power in Britain, ensuring that the state can never again hide from the people it is meant to serve. The Hillsborough Law will enshrine a duty of candour, meaning public authorities must be honest and transparent when things go wrong.
“Hillsborough will always remain in our national consciousness for its tragedy and disgraceful injustice,” Starmer wrote. “But today it can also be remembered for the way it changed our country for the better.”
Campaigners such as Pooja Kanda and Figen Murray were also praised for their determination in pushing for stronger protections for victims of public failings. The Prime Minister was clear that while the law was born from the memory of the 97, it will have a far wider impact.
Beyond Hillsborough: A Law for All Victims
Starmer underlined that the Hillsborough Law is not just for those who suffered because of Hillsborough, but also for victims of other national tragedies and scandals.
He explicitly referenced the wrongful convictions of sub-postmasters in the Horizon IT scandal, the victims of the infected blood scandal, and the families affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. Each of these represents a devastating chapter in modern British history, where ordinary people endured suffering because institutions failed to act with honesty or accountability.
By invoking these examples, Starmer positioned the Hillsborough Law as a unifying measure, designed to guarantee fairness across society. It sends a message that cover-ups and institutional neglect will no longer be tolerated in Britain.
A Promise Fulfilled
For Margaret Aspinall and countless other campaigners, this announcement marks the fulfilment of a long-fought promise. For decades, families gathered outside courtrooms, held vigils, and pressed politicians to act. Their persistence turned grief into a movement that reshaped British law.
While nothing can undo the decades of suffering or bring back the loved ones lost in Sheffield that April afternoon, the Hillsborough Law ensures that their legacy will be one of change and accountability. It will stand as a reminder that the voices of ordinary people can move governments and shape laws.
A Defining Moment for Starmer’s Government
Politically, the passage of this law underscores the Labour government’s commitment to justice and fairness. Starmer, who served as Director of Public Prosecutions before entering politics, has long framed himself as an advocate for truth and accountability. Delivering on this pledge reinforces that reputation and strengthens his credibility among communities scarred by tragedy.
“This is change only this Government can deliver,” Starmer concluded in his Facebook post — a line that not only acknowledges the uniqueness of the moment, but also cements the law as a defining achievement of his leadership.
Legacy of the 97
As Britain reflects on the meaning of the Hillsborough Law, one thing is clear: it stands as a living legacy for the 97. It ensures that their names are not only remembered for the circumstances of their deaths but also honoured for the justice their families secured in their memory.
For survivors, campaigners, and all who supported the cause, the law represents a powerful affirmation that truth matters, that accountability matters, and that justice delayed does not have to mean justice denied.
The Hillsborough Law is more than just legislation; it is a national commitment to fairness, transparency, and humanity in the face of tragedy. By fulfilling his promise, Keir Starmer has ensured that the long shadow of Hillsborough will not only remind Britain of past failings but also light the way towards a more accountable future.
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