A campaigner whose father died in the Hillsborough disaster has warned MPs that she will be watching when they debate the new law named after the victims. Charlotte Hennessy said supporters' involvement has not ended simply because the Government backed the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law.
Her father Jimmy was one of 97 people who died after the fatal stadium crush involving Liverpool FC supporters at Sheffield Wednesday's ground in 1989. Hennessy was just six years old when the disaster occurred.
Conference platform warning
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) brought Hennessy onto the stage at his party's conference in Liverpool. She told the audience that families were left with "no transparency, no truth" and faced "justice cover-ups and a system that closes ranks and protects those who we should trust - ordinary people that are thrown into an alien system designed to shield the state from scrutiny and accountability".
Hennessy revealed she had previously declined Labour's invitations to speak at conferences in previous years. After what she described as a "frank and honest conversation" with the Prime Minister, she explained why this year was different.
She told Starmer: "Don't let this Public (Office) Accountability Bill be watered down now. Our members have been through enough." The Prime Minister reportedly looked her in the eyes and responded: "It doesn't need watering down, Charlotte."
Government commitment declared
Starmer had earlier declared: "I am delighted to say that this year we do not have to make any more vows - we have a law, the Hillsborough Law." He emphasised the legislation shows "this Government is on the side of justice" and demonstrates they will "do the hard yards for working people".
The Prime Minister acknowledged it was "an unacceptably long and hard fight for the campaigners, for the families and victims of Hillsborough to get us to this point". He insisted it was not the Government that should be thanked, but "the families and campaigners, who after such unimaginable loss, had almost every obstacle put in their path to get to justice".
Continued vigilance promised
The campaigner made clear that supporters will continue monitoring the legislation's progress through Parliament until it becomes law. She warned: "We will be watching, we will be listening, and we will continue to follow its progress until it is passed in its entirety."
The proposed law would create a duty of candour for public officials, with supporters including victims of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire and the Post Office Horizon IT scandal. Hennessy warned those who might ignore the legislation: "You will face criminal charges and you will go to prison."
After her speech, Labour delegates and activists joined Starmer in singing Liverpool FC's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone", accompanied by the Liverpool Show Choir. Three men in the crowd held up a red and ochre scarf while wearing Liverpool FC ties as they sang.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
