The Government is expected to finally respond today to the report on the Hillsborough disaster, six years after its release. The report disclosed valuable lessons and recommendations, although the government has not yet provided a formal response. More than two decades after the tragic incident at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield that claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool FC fans, the families of the victims are still awaiting recognition and change.
Commissioned by then Home Secretary Theresa May, the report, entitled “The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power,” was published in November 2017 by the former Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones. It brought to light the mistakes made by the police and ambulance service and underscored the necessity for fundamental changes to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.
The report detailed 25 ‘crucial’ learning points and recommended the establishment of a charter for bereaved families of public tragedies, publicly-funded legal representation at inquests, and a ‘duty of candour’ for police officers. Nevertheless, the government has yet to take any action on these vital recommendations.
The families of the victims and supporters have welcomed the findings of the report and called for the immediate implementation of the proposed changes, including the urgent establishment of a charter for bereaved families and provision for legal representation. In a move towards addressing the issue, the Ministry of Justice announced plans to establish an Independent Public Advocate to support victims of major disasters in England and Wales.
The report revealed that a significant ‘change in attitude’ was necessary to ensure that the ‘pain and suffering’ of the bereaved families would never be repeated. Additionally, it called for a charter for families bereaved by public tragedy, a ‘duty of candour’ for police officers, and increased involvement of grieving families at inquests. It also recommended publicly funded legal representation and an independent review of the original pathology report into the deaths.
The families of the victims have been eagerly anticipating the government’s response to the report, which is expected to be announced today. The families have expressed hope that this response will mark a significant milestone in their journey of grief.
Campaigners are now advocating for a ‘Hillsborough Law’ or Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, which would legally require public authorities and officials to tell the truth and cooperate with official investigations and inquiries. The previous inquests concluded that fans were unlawfully killed and that errors by the police and ambulance service were contributing factors to the tragic events at Hillsborough.
In addition to the campaign for the ‘Hillsborough Law’, the families eagerly await the government’s response to the 25 recommendations outlined in the report. These recommendations include establishing a charter for the bereaved, a duty of candour for public bodies, and provision for legal representation at inquests.
The families have experienced numerous milestones during their journey of grief, and the announcement of the government’s response to the report is expected to be another significant event. The response will hopefully bring some closure and the assurance that the recommendations will be acted upon to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.