A HILLSBOROUGH law must be “all or nothing,” bereaved families have demanded amid concerns that it could be watered down. 

Labour confirmed last week that it will miss its own deadline to bring in the law, which it aimed to pass before the anniversary of the 1989 tragedy next Tuesday April 15.

Campaigners want the law to introduce a “duty of candour” to put a legal requirement on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and proactively co-operate with official investigations and inquiries. 

Last month, Downing Street cancelled a meeting with campaigners to discuss the legislation amid concerns over its strength and scope.

It is understood there had been concerns over who the duty of candour would apply to.

In a new report by charity Inquest, published today, bereaved families and survivors of tragedies including Hillsborough, the Grenfell fire, Post Office Horizon scandal and infected blood scandal, urged the need for a robust law.

They called for the “thorough enforcement” of the duty of candour to ensure full accountability.

Another key demand is for the the law to provide for public funding for their legal representation following state failures to ensure equality of arms with public bodies.

Margaret Aspinall, a Hillsborough bereaved family member whose son James was one of the 97 unlawfully killed, said: “After hearing the stories of all the other families fighting for justice, I am more determined than ever to demand that the Hillsborough law presented to Parliament is all or nothing.

“This is the legacy of families and survivors — the Bill has got to be right.”

Lobby Akinnola, a member of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said: “The Hillsborough law is not a symbolic fix. It’s a practical one — a duty of candour, equal access to legal representation, and real oversight.

“Those bereaved by Covid have seen first-hand how easily the truth is delayed, diluted or denied.

“Without full implementation of this law, the cycle will repeat. And families will keep paying the price.”

Last week, Commons leader Lucy Powell said the government will take “whatever time is necessary” to develop a law which “meets the expectations” of the Hillsborough families.