MPs back new Hillsborough law to help families affected by major incidents

22nd April 2020

Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson is one of the sponsors of The Public Advocate Bill, which would establish a public advocate to provide advice to families of the deceased after major incidents.

A top-level advisor would support families and liaise with officials such as coroners and lawyers.

All Merseyside MPs have given their backing to the proposed new law introduced by Halewood and Garston MP Maria Eagle, which would help families fight for justice following public disasters, 31 years after Hillsborough triggered a decades-long battle for the truth.

Mr Esterson said: “The Hillsborough families, many from my own constituency, have been through hell in their fight for justice for their loved ones, and this cannot be allowed to happen again.

“At every turn they felt that they were fighting against the state, which had what seemed like unlimited resources, whereas the families were left without the help and support they needed. It took too long for the families to get the truth to be accepted. We as lawmakers must make sure that no other families have to go through the same ordeal.

“A public advocate is an idea that has the backing of the Hillsborough families, and those affected by other atrocities including the 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing, and I am proud to have been able to give it my support as a sponsor and at its first reading today.”

“The Public Advocate Bill aims to prevent any other families bereaved by a public disaster from having to endure such a long fight to get to the truth and to get justice and accountability for their loved ones as the Hillsborough families have had to do.”

The Public Advocate Bill would provide a better way of responding to large scale disasters on behalf of bereaved relatives and survivors.

It arises out of the experience of the Hillsborough families and others and was written by Lord Michael Wills and Maria Eagle MP following consultations with those bereaved by a number of public disasters including Hillsborough.

If enacted, it would provide a monument to the indefatigability, determination and courage of the Hillsborough families. It would be a lasting legacy as they bring to an end the annual public commemorations of the disaster. It would mean no other families bereaved by disasters in future would have to go through what they have had to go through to get to the truth and to get a measure of justice.

This will be the third time that MPs have attempted to get the Public Advocate Bill through Parliament. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was first to introduce a version of the Bill in 2015, but the general election was called soon after so it failed to progress.

Maria Eagle, MP for Garston and Halewood, brought the Bill back to the Commons in 2019 and it passed its first reading but again the general election halted its progress.

Ms Eagle has reintroduced the Bill again and it had its First Reading in the House of Commons under the 10 Minute Rule Procedure today (Wednesday 22 April).

Speaking ahead of the First Reading of the Public Advocate Bill in the House of Commons, Maria Eagle MP said: “The planned final memorial service at Anfield on the 31st Anniversary of the disaster has had to be postponed but the families, survivors and others across the Liverpool City Region understand the loss the Hillsborough families have endured and the horrific three decades long battle they have had to wage to get to the truth and a measure of justice.

“As they prepare to end the large public commemorations, many feeling vindicated but exhausted, it is a time for legislators to learn the lessons and take steps to prevent their horrendous experience from ever being repeated.”

“If enacted, the Public Advocate Bill can stop what has happened to the Hillsborough families from ever happening to any other families bereaved by public disasters and it will be a lasting legacy and tribute to the courage, indefatigability and determination of the Hillsborough families and campaigners.”