By Labour Home | 14 July 2026
In deeply emotional scenes in the House of Commons, MPs have unanimously approved the remaining stages of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill—better known as the Hillsborough Law—bringing the landmark legislation a major step closer to the statute book.
The Bill, one of the Labour Government’s flagship manifesto commitments, introduces a statutory duty of candour on public authorities and public officials, requiring them to act with honesty, transparency and cooperation during investigations, inquests and public inquiries. It also significantly expands legal aid for bereaved families facing the state.
Following months of negotiations with campaigners, ministers also accepted amendments ensuring there will be no exemption for the intelligence and security services, with sensitive disclosures instead handled through a secure legal process. Campaigners described the concession as a decisive breakthrough after concerns that earlier proposals weakened the legislation.
Andy Burnham: “A rewiring of the state”
One of the day’s most significant moments came when Andy Burnham, MP for Makerfield and Prime Minister-designate, addressed the Commons for the first time since returning to Parliament.
Burnham, who has championed the Hillsborough families’ campaign for many years and first introduced a Hillsborough Law during his previous time as an MP, described the legislation as a fundamental shift in the relationship between citizens and the state.
He told MPs:
“It does feel tonight like life is coming full circle, and as we pass this momentous piece of legislation—a piece of legislation that will change the way this country thinks and works about justice—it truly is a rewiring of the state and a passing of power from the authorities to the hands of ordinary people.”
Paying tribute to Sir Keir Starmer, Burnham added:
“It is happening because of the Prime Minister’s commitment to a country based on justice and fairness, and we thank him for that.
He has honoured his commitment to the Hillsborough families, and what this House will do in passing this Bill tonight is rebalancing the scales of justice, so that we have justice for ordinary people going forward.”
Earlier in the day, writing in the Liverpool Echo, Burnham reflected on the wider significance of the legislation.
“We owe this moment to the Hillsborough families. For 37 years, they refused to accept a lie. They stood firm when powerful institutions closed ranks against them.
They have shown extraordinary courage, and because they never gave up, they will leave a legacy that reaches far beyond Hillsborough. They are helping to reshape the relationship between the public and the state for generations to come.”
Ian Byrne’s emotional tribute
The debate’s most moving contribution came from Ian Byrne MP, the Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby and a Hillsborough survivor, who has led the Bill’s progress through Parliament.
Speaking with visible emotion, Byrne reflected on surviving the disaster and the responsibility he has carried ever since.
“Back in 2015, I had the number 96 tattooed on my wrist. It was not simply a tattoo; it was a promise… I was one of the lucky ones. I walked away from Hillsborough, but 96 did not. Today we remember the 97.”
He paid tribute to the bereaved families and campaigners whose determination transformed a decades-long fight for justice into historic legislation.
Addressing fellow survivors, Byrne said:
“To every survivor, I hope today brings some measure of peace. Not because it can erase the past—nothing ever will—but because your suffering has brought about lasting change for generations to come.”
He continued:
“If this Parliament finally ensures that no grieving family will ever have to fight the state simply to uncover the truth, then every setback, every disappointment, every sleepless night would have been worth it.”
Bringing his speech to an emotional conclusion, Byrne declared:
“This law is about far more than Hillsborough. It is about the kind of country we choose to be—a country where power tells the truth, where public servants serve the public, where justice is not delayed until campaigners grow old, and where no family is ever left to walk alone.”
In a rare break with Commons convention, MPs from across the House responded with sustained applause.
Starmer fulfils a Labour manifesto pledge
Opening the debate, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the legislation as one of the proudest moments of his premiership.
He told MPs:
“These families… have waited years and years too long.
I made a promise to these families, looked them in the eye, and said I would bring this forward as soon as I could. I’ve kept that promise, and I’m proud that this Labour Government is bringing this Bill.”
Earlier, speaking to Hillsborough campaigners before entering the Commons, Starmer acknowledged their decades-long determination.
“Your courage and strength over so many years has been utterly breathtaking.”
A law that reaches far beyond Hillsborough
Although inspired by the fight for justice following the Hillsborough disaster, campaigners stressed that the legislation will protect families affected by future public tragedies.
The Bill establishes:
- a statutory duty of candour requiring public authorities and officials to tell the truth and cooperate fully with investigations, inquests and inquiries;
- a legal duty to assist those investigations;
- stronger accountability for public bodies that seek to mislead or obstruct justice; and
- expanded legal aid so bereaved families are not left financially disadvantaged when facing the state.
Throughout the debate, MPs also referenced Grenfell, the infected blood scandal, the Post Office Horizon scandal, the Manchester Arena Inquiry and other cases where families have faced prolonged battles for truth and accountability.
A landmark moment
The Bill will now proceed to the House of Lords before receiving Royal Assent.
For the Hillsborough families, survivors and campaigners who have fought for justice for more than three decades, Tuesday’s vote represents a defining parliamentary victory.
As Andy Burnham observed, the legislation is about more than one tragedy. It is about changing the relationship between citizens and the state—ensuring that, in future, truth, openness and accountability become the rule rather than the exception.
