Labour has slammed the Tory government after proposals for an
independent advocate to represent bereaved families and survivors
of public disasters was rejected for the 12th time in
parliament today (Friday 3 February).
Conservative government MPs objected to a private members’ bill
from Garston and Halewood MP , which would have delivered the
first part of a Hillsborough Law.
Maria Eagle’s
Public Advocate (No. 2) Bill is
supported by the Labour frontbench and aims to stop cover ups by
forcing early transparency from authorities in the aftermath
of public disasters.
It follows an apology from all 43 police forces this week for the
“profound failings” in the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough
disaster.
The Labour Party announced last year that it would put a
Hillsborough Law onto the statute book to help prevent future
injustices where there is state involvement.
As part of the legislation, Labour would introduce:
-
A duty of candour: to ensure that public
authorities and officials proactively cooperate with official
investigations – to offer the transparency and accountability
they need to succeed
-
Legal aid: to entitle victims of disasters or
state-related deaths to parity of legal representation during
inquests and inquiries, meaning they are funded for lawyers,
putting them on a level playing field with public bodies which
are represented
-
An independent public advocate: to act as a
representative for bereaved families that have lost ones in a
disaster. They would advocate for their best interests, and
establish a panel to review all the evidence, documentation,
and data relating to the tragedy - to advise on the course of
action most likely to get justice
-
A code of ethics: which would require all
public authorities to publish a ‘Code of Ethics’ that promotes
ethical behaviour, transparency, and candour. This should take
account of the Seven Principles of Public Life, provides
reasonable protection for whistle-blowers, and offer a
complaints system that is accessible to the public.
Commenting on Tory MPs blocking to her private members’ bill for
the 12th time, , Labour MP for
Garston and Halewood, said:
“After 34 years of waiting, the Hillsborough families now need
legislative change to ensure no other families bereaved by public
disasters are treated as they have been by state agencies
covering up the truth.
“This bill is part of the change they have called for but it has
been blocked for the 12th time by the government
objecting to it when they could have let it proceed.
“I will not give up fighting for them and for these measures, and
I will bring the proposals back again in March so that we can
deliver justice for these courageous families.”
, Shadow Justice Secretary,
added:
“Labour stands unequivocally with the Hillsborough families.
There can be no justice for those who died until we stop the same
thing ever happening again.
“We've repeatedly called for the Hillsborough Law and making it
reality would be a priority of a Labour government to ensure that
victims of major tragedies get the same legal representation as
the authorities that failed them.”
