ニュースヒルズボロ法法案が下院で可決

Officially called the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, its approval by parliament represents a major moment in a long-running campaign.

Progress had been delayed by a proposed amendment that would have included possible exemptions for intelligence services – which has now been quashed.

The Hillsborough Law is designed to enshrine accountability and fairness in the justice system, compelling public officials to provide truthful evidence to inquiries and investigations.

It will also better support bereaved families when national tragedies occur.

The Hillsborough Law includes the following directives:

• Create a statutory “duty of candour and assistance” (a legal obligation to act transparently) for public authorities and officials when engaging with inquiries, inquests and similar investigations
• Create a framework to ensure ethical conduct in public authorities, including mandatory codes of conduct
• Create new criminal offences of failing to uphold the duty of candour and assistance and misleading the public
• Create two new statutory offences to replace the common law offence of misconduct in public office
• Introduce “parity of representation” for bereaved families at inquests involving public authorities

Ninety-seven supporters died as a result of the Hillsborough tragedy that occurred on April 15, 1989.

However, years of lies, cover-ups and evasion thwarted the truth of how the disaster happened and justice for the negligence involved.

It was not until fresh inquests took place from 2014 to 2016 that a verdict of unlawful killing was returned in all of the victims’ cases, which had originally been declared accidental deaths.

Only then, too, was it declared in court that the fans in attendance at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest played no role whatsoever in causing the tragedy.

The Hillsborough Law stands as a legacy for the 97 and all those who have campaigned tirelessly in their honour across the decades since.

With the bill’s passage through the House of Commons now completed, it will move forward to the House of Lords and subsequently require royal assent.

The legislation could be written into law ahead of the 38th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy next April.

Liverpool FC would like to reaffirm its enormous admiration, respect and appreciation for all those who have campaigned for the introduction of the Hillsborough Law.

The 97, their families and survivors are forever in our thoughts.