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The Hillsborough Act will not be implemented before the next commemoration of the disaster as promised, the government confirmed.
In a statement to Sky News, a spokesman said ‘more time was needed’, after consulting with families, drafted the best version of the legislation.
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Sky News understands that families were concerned about the ‘duty of honest’ element watered down, with a source close to the discussions that call an ‘absolute mess’.
The duty of honesty was intended to place a legal duty on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and proactively work with official investigations and inquiries, with criminal penalties for those who violate it.
However, the source said what was suggested “that many loopholes” that the duty would be “useless and ineffective” would be delivered.
The duty is “completely watered down” to the parity of the weapon, they added, which would require a fair funding of legal aid, so that one side does not have all the expertise because of unlimited taxpayers.
Although the delay is ‘very disappointing’, they welcomed that the government ‘realized that it was necessary to need it’.
The next anniversary of the 1989 disaster, on April 15, will be 36 years since 97 fans have died illegally after gross negligence by police at a FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.
Liverpool fans climb to safety during the FA Cup semi-final football match in Hillsborough in 1989. Pic: Dad
Shortly before kickoff, supporters were left by a gate, which caused in the yard and a crush.
No one has ever been convicted its subsequent covering, which has provoked a decades -long struggle for justice.
The Hillsborough Act is also supported by the victims of Grenfell Tower Fire, infected blood scandal and grieving Covid families, who want to occur cover in the case of future tragedies and give victims better access to justice when they stand up to the state.
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‘Hillsborough Law is launched before April’
The government ‘fully committed’ to the duty of honesty
Sir Keir Starmer first promised the long -awaited legislation Two years ago while in oppositionAnd after winning the general election last year, it said that it would be on the statute books by the next commemoration.
However, it was speculated that the deadline would be dropped after he was reportedly canceled a meeting with champions last week.
Read more:
The sister of Hillsborough victim says the only way to stop covering is to send people to jail in the wake of the blood scandal
The delay was confirmed in a letter to families by Justice Minister Shabanha Mahmood.
Ms Mahmood said the government after groups and representatives believes that it is “right that we take more time to ensure that we have the best, most effective Hillsborough law”.
She acknowledged that it would be “disappointing news”, adding that the government remains “committed to a Hillsborough law that will include a legal duty of honesty for civil servants and criminal sanctions for those who refuse to comply”.
She said: “We are not walking away. In fact, our involvement in victims, families and survivors will only increase in the coming weeks. We are determined to listen and work with families and champions.”
A government spokesman reflected the sentiment and told Sky News: “The Hillsborough disaster is one of the greatest stains in British history, and the families of those who have lost loved ones have shown endless determination to get justice.
‘After consulting with these groups over the past few weeks, we believe that more time is needed to draft the best version of a Hillsborough law.
“We are fully committed to bringing this legislation against Pace, which will include a legal duty of honesty for civil servants and criminal sanctions for those who refuse to comply.”
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