Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Carry-over)

Anneliese Midgley Excerpts

Carry-over motion
Monday 27th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Anneliese Midgley (Knowsley) (Lab)]

Ten years ago yesterday, the Hillsborough inquest jury delivered its historic verdict, concluding that 96 Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough in 1989 were unlawfully killed. In the years since, the 96 have become 97. The families continue to campaign with dignity and determination for the Hillsborough law, to ensure a statutory duty of candour for public officials and to prevent such injustices from ever happening again. I am really disappointed that 10 years from that verdict and 580 days since the Prime Minister committed at our party conference to bring forward this legislation, it has yet to be delivered for the families and for my city.

I have been in touch with Margaret Aspinall and Charlotte Hennessy, who had loved ones who went to the match that day and did not come home. Their names are James Aspinall and Jimmy Hennessy. There are some words that they would like me to say and put on the record on their behalf today, if I may, Madam Deputy Speaker.

“We would like to acknowledge the good work and progress that was initially made in relation to the Bill and welcome the roll over but we would also like to remind everyone of who this Bill is for—The Public. This is not about Hillsborough families, it is not about egos, this is about protecting others from the corrupt.

Lately it has felt like ‘Families first’ has meant ‘Families last’. We understand that there may be rare and exceptional circumstances, where immediate disclosure could create risks to ‘National security’ and we do not oppose sensible safeguards where they are truly necessary but so often that very same confidential information is leaked straight to the press by someone in government before families can even review it. That is not the actions of putting families first. It is unspeakably cruel, and unnecessary.

We were promised inclusion within this process and we would like a guarantee that the leaks to the media will stop, the delays will stop and everyone involved will refocus and remember that this is a legacy for 97 innocent victims as well as future generations and a manifesto pledge made by the prime minister.

Margaret Aspinall & Charlotte Hennessy.”

I plead with the Government: let their words be heard, and followed to the letter. The Prime Minister promised the families that the Bill would be delivered in full, and that promise needs to be fulfilled. Justice for the 97, and for all other victims of state cover-ups!

I thank the Minister with responsibility for victims for her tenacity and passion for seeing this Bill through and getting it right. I honestly love working with her, and I have complete confidence that she will deliver this. I welcome the fact that the Bill is being protected and carried over, but let us proceed with urgency, care and a shared determination to get this done in collaboration with and with respect for the families.

Let me end by again quoting Margaret Aspinall. When I last saw her, she said to me:

“The truth costs nothing, lies cost millions and destroy lives.”