Arabic version: قانون هيلزبورو يواجه تأخيرات إضافية في البرلمان

The Hillsborough Law, aimed at ensuring public authorities cooperate truthfully with inquiries, will face further delays, according to reports. Initially slated for passage by April 15, 2025, to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, the legislation will not be completed by the end of the current parliamentary session in May.

According to BBC News, ministers plan to carry the proposal over into the next parliamentary session, with hopes for its eventual passage in the autumn. Campaigners are pressing for a clear timetable from the government, which has been hesitant to commit due to previous missed deadlines.

The Hillsborough Law seeks to establish a legal obligation of candour for public authorities, particularly in light of the police’s handling of the 1989 disaster that resulted in 97 fatalities. There has been significant contention surrounding amendments that would allow intelligence agencies to decide on their level of cooperation with inquiries, raising concerns about accountability.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram have criticized the proposed amendment as being too broad, potentially undermining the legislation’s intent. Discussions between campaigners and government officials have yet to yield a mutually acceptable position, leading to further delays in the legislative process.

Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, who has maintained close contact with bereaved families, stressed the urgency of passing the law, asserting that every moment of delay adversely affects the families seeking justice. He emphasized the need for the government to act swiftly to honor the memory of those lost in the tragedy.