Tom Morrison MP Calls for Urgent Action on Hillsborough Law Ahead of 36th Anniversary
Tom Morrison MP Calls for Urgent Action on Hillsborough Law Ahead of 36th Anniversary
Tom Morrison, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle and lifelong Liverpool supporter, has called on the Government to urgently introduce the long-promised Hillsborough Law before the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April 2025.
In a strongly worded letter to the Home and Justice Secretaries, Tom expressed his disappointment that ministers have failed to bring forward legislation despite repeated commitments made in Parliament and to the public. The Prime Minister himself pledged in September 2024 that the law would be introduced before this year’s anniversary – a deadline that now looks set to be missed.
“The Hillsborough Law is about more than the past – it’s about protecting people in the future,” Tom said. “It would guarantee that public bodies are honest and transparent in times of tragedy and ensure that families are never again denied justice simply because they don’t have the same legal firepower as the state.”
The proposed law, formally known as the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, includes two key measures: a statutory duty of candour on public officials and equal legal funding for bereaved families during inquests. These changes are designed to prevent future miscarriages of justice, like those suffered by the families of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Tom added: “As a Liverpool fan, this is personal. The Hillsborough families have shown extraordinary courage and determination for over three decades. The very least they deserve is for this Government to keep its word and bring forward a law that reflects the lessons they fought so hard to teach us.”
The Hillsborough Law has gained cross-party support and is backed by legal experts, campaigners, and bereaved families from other tragedies, including Grenfell and the Post Office Horizon scandal. Tom has urged ministers not to water down the proposals and to act swiftly to restore public trust.
“We cannot allow a culture of cover-ups to persist. The Government must deliver the Hillsborough Law in full – and deliver it now.”
You can read Tom's letter below:
