Victims should not have to suffer like the families of those who died in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster
The Hillsborough Stadium disaster continues to be a painful memory for the families of victims. It was not just that they lost loved ones but the injustice that they subsequently faced in the aftermath of the disaster.
Imagine seeing loved ones that you have just lost being blamed for their own and fellow football fans’ deaths.
No one should have to endure what the families of the 97 Liverpool fans killed in the 1989 disaster had to suffer.
That is why a Hillsborough Law, which would introduce a duty of candour for public authorities and public servants, is greatly needed.
It isn’t just Hillsborough. Defensiveness in the face of challenge from public bodies and authorities has been evident following the Grenfell fire and public scandals including infected blood, the Post Office Horizon IT system and Windrush.
Therefore the pledge to support the duty of candour with a code of ethics for public authorities should also be welcomed by all that want to prevent injustices being repeated.
The Government has also begun the process of recruiting the first independent public advocate (IPA). The IPA will be sent to the scene of any future public disaster. It is important that victims of disasters have someone that they can turn to. A figure that can act as a bridge between the authorities and the victims and their families.
A lack of transparency from public authorities can lead to not only a loss of trust amongst the public but also increase the likelihood of mistakes being repeated again in the future.