A mother who tragically lost her teenage daughters in the Hillsborough disaster is calling on Keir Starmer to maintain transparency with the families and survivors. Jenni Hicks, who lost her daughters Victoria, 15, and Sarah, 19 in the tragedy that claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool fans in 1989, emphasized the importance of the Hillsborough Law that aims to prevent cover-ups even after 37 years.
Advocates for the Hillsborough Law, including families of the victims, have been pushing for its implementation. This law would establish a “duty of candour” for public authorities to disclose the truth and cooperate with disaster investigations. Despite the government acknowledging that the bill would significantly empower accountability, progress has been hindered by disagreements regarding the application of the duty of candour to security services.
Jenni expressed frustration over the prolonged discussions surrounding the Hillsborough Law, highlighting the need for resolution to ease the ongoing distress for affected families. The bill, initially promised by Keir Starmer in 2022, is backed by a coalition of survivors and families impacted by various tragedies, including the Manchester Arena bombing, Grenfell fire, and other incidents.
While recent reports suggest a positive shift in addressing concerns regarding the security services’ exemption from the law, Jenni urged for official updates rather than relying solely on media sources for information. She emphasized the urgency of finalizing the Hillsborough Law to allow affected families to move forward and find closure.
In commemoration of the Hillsborough disaster anniversary, various events are planned, including a minute’s silence at Liverpool Town Hall followed by tolling of a bell 97 times in memory of each victim. The government expressed recognition for the families’ enduring fight for justice and emphasized the significance of the proposed bill in ensuring accountability and serving the people it is designed to protect.
