MPs have approved the Hillsborough Law, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at preventing cover-ups linked to state failures. The bill, formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, received approval in the House of Commons following amendments that resolved disputes over its application to intelligence services. Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised campaigners for their tireless work in bringing the long-delayed legislation to fruition, stating it imposes a duty on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and cooperate with investigations.

The legislation is named in honor of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where a crush at an FA Cup semi-final resulted in the deaths of 97 people. In the aftermath, police leaders were found to have disseminated false narratives blaming Liverpool fans and withheld evidence of their own shortcomings. The Hillsborough Law seeks to ensure that such injustices are not repeated, particularly for ordinary people facing systemic failures.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, lauded the bill as ensuring justice for ordinary people going forward and a significant legacy for Sir Keir Starmer. He described the legislation as a "rewiring of the state" that shifts power from authorities to individuals, emphasizing its potential to change how the country approaches justice and fairness.

Sir Keir Starmer addressed the House of Commons, stating that the Hillsborough families fought so that no other family would endure similar suffering. He highlighted that the law will protect countless individuals and families who will never be known to the campaigners but will be spared comparable hardship. Starmer also underscored the bill's broader significance, asserting it is "a bill for every single working person in this country" and addressing a "class element" where justice has historically been denied to working-class, Black, or female victims.

The bill's journey through Parliament has been marked by delays, primarily concerning the scope of the duty of candour concerning intelligence services. Ministers ultimately brokered a compromise through a series of amendments, which were subsequently approved by MPs, allowing the bill to clear the Commons. It will now proceed to the House of Lords for further examination before it can become law.

During the debate, the Conservatives raised concerns about the timing of the legislation, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of rushing its final stages after late amendments were introduced. Despite these objections, the bill garnered significant support, with proponents emphasizing its transformative potential.

Starmer described the moment as "a precipice of change" and "a moment of real significance for our country." He drew parallels between the Hillsborough disaster and other public failures, including the Grenfell Tower fire, the Manchester Arena bombings, the infected blood scandal, and cases involving grooming gangs, suggesting the law would provide a crucial safeguard against future state misconduct.

The Hillsborough Law represents a significant step towards greater accountability for public bodies and officials. While it now faces scrutiny in the House of Lords, its approval in the Commons marks a victory for campaigners and a potential turning point in the relationship between the public and the state in the United Kingdom.