Hillsborough Law to be reintroduced to parliament
There's concerns the government will water the bill down
Another big push is being made to stop the Hillsborough Law from being watered down.
West Derby MP Ian Byrne will reintroduce the law to parliament, after it was first put forward by Andy Burnham in 2017.
After being elected last year, Sir Keir Starmer told the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool that the Hillsborough Law would be introduced to parliament before the next anniversary.
However, that deadline was missed and the wait continues.
In a letter sent to the Prime Minister earlier this week, Mr Byrne has raised concerns about what the government will put forward - saying a replacement draft bill shown to one of the lawyers leading the campaign, and then to Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, did not include any of the key parts of the bill.
The original law put forward included a duty of candour to make it a legal requirement for public officials to tell the truth at major inquiries.
A ten-minute rule motion will be put forward in parliament today (2 July) to reintroduce the bill and gain member support. If it receives no opposition, it will go to second reading.
Mr Byrne said:
"The Prime Minister missed his own deadline and there are rumours that the Government will now try to introduce a toothless replacement bill - not the Hillsborough Law he agreed to.
"This would be yet another betrayal of Hillsborough families and survivors, and of the victims of other state cover-ups.
"That would be a historic mistake"
"That would be a historic mistake, never to be forgotten or forgiven in my city - or by families up and down the country affected by state cover-ups.
"The legislation I am introducing is THE Hillsborough Law as it was first presented to Parliament by Andy Burnham in 2017, with current Labour ministers Alison McGovern, Maria Eagle and Jess Phillips as co-sponsors.
"This time it is being co-sponsored by fellow Merseyside MPs and senior MPs from across the House of Commons.
"THE Hillsborough Law is here, it is fully drafted and it is ready to go.
"Show leadership"
"Now it is just a question of political will.
"So, on the eve of reintroducing the Hillsborough Law to Parliament, I call on the Prime Minister to show leadership and to enact this legislation, just as he promised, and not a feeble imitation."
A Government spokesperson said:
"Hillsborough is one of the greatest stains in our history and for decades, the Hillsborough families have campaigned to make sure a disaster like this is never allowed to happen again.
"While nothing can undo the years of injustice they have suffered, we will enshrine their legacy with a Hillsborough Law, including a legal duty of candour for public servants and criminal sanctions for those who fail to comply."