HillsboroughLawNow

I am writing to encourage you to vocally support the introduction of a Hillsborough Law, also known as the Public Authorities (Accountability) Bill

I am extremely concerned by the culture of denial, delay and defence that characterises investigations into the conduct of the state and public institutions. This occurred not only during the shocking cover-up from public officials following the Hillsborough Disaster, but in scandals such as the Grenfell Tower disaster, the Contaminated Blood Scandal, and many others[1][2][3][4].

I am sure you are aware that only recently former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt concluded that the contaminated blood scandal was a huge failing of democracy, saying that ‘the state can sometimes “close ranks around a lie”.[3]

Whether it is the death of a child in a mental health setting, the self-inflicted death of a prisoner, a death after the lethal use of force by the state, or a death as a result of neglectful state services. State lawyers funded by the public purse are more interested in reputation management than learning and prevention. This is why Hillsborough law is so needed, to address both the duty of candour and equality of arms and remove the cloak of protection. Not only has this pattern created a culture of unaccountable power, but it is also a waste of public funds - creating drawn-out legal battles which cost the state huge amounts.

I believe that the Hillsborough Law would address these problems - as it would:

1) Create a new legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and proactively cooperate with official investigations and inquiries.

2) Ensure victims of disasters or state-related deaths are entitled to parity of legal representation during inquests and inquiries, meaning they are funded for lawyers, putting them on a level playing field with public bodies. [5][6]

I urge you to please support this vital piece of legislation

[1] Hillsborough: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-57356486
[2] Grenfell: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/corner-cutting-cover-ups-and-a-disregard-for-human-life-why-grenfell-really-happened-fsvrdzmsj
[3] Contaminated blood: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-62325578
[4] Others:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/treatment-nuclear-test-veterans-criminal-27660458
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/19/corrupt-met-officers-protected-family-of-stephen-lawrence-murderer
[5] https://hillsboroughlawnow.org/
[6] https://hillsboroughlawnow.org/s/Public-Advocate-and-Accountability-Bill-draft.docx