Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among the 97 people killed in the 1989 tragedy, said she was frustrated by delays to the landmark Hillsborough Law
Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall has called on Keir Starmer to honour his promise and pass a law to prevent future state cover-ups “ASAP”.
Ms Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among the 97 people killed in the 1989 tragedy, said she was frustrated by delays to the Hillsborough Law. In a message to Mr Starmer, she told The Mirror: “Get it sorted. Do it, ASAP. You promised when you first came into power that you would fulfil a Hillsborough Law in all its entirety.
“Now do what you promised. You’ve not only promised it to me, you’ve promised it to the people of this country. Do the right thing Mr Starmer please, and do it ASAP.”
Her plea comes ahead of next week’s 37th anniversary of the disaster at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield.
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Ms Aspinall – alongside other families – has fought tirelessly for justice for over three decades. Last year she introduced Mr Starmer ahead of his keynote Labour conference speech in Liverpool and praised the PM for sticking by his promise to introduce the Hillsborough Law.
Officially called the Public Office (Accountability) Bill it proposes creating a “duty of candour” legal obligation for public officials to act with honesty – or face possible criminal sanctions. But it was pulled from the Commons in January after a major row over an amendment relating to how it applies to the security services, including MI5.
A government amendment sought to bring spies within the scope of the legislation – subject to the approval of the head of their service. Campaigners and bereaved families warned this would allow those running the security services to decide whether to disclose information.
Facing the prospect of a Labour rebellion, the Bill was pulled and negotiations between Hillsborough families, lawyers, and ministers are still ongoing. It means it has little chance of passing ahead of the end of the current parliamentary session later this month and the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.
Ms Aspinall said: “Well to be honest with you it’s frustrating, it really is. I’ve never known anything to take so long to get this sorted. How long is it now? We’re coming up to 12 months next week or the week after. It’s absolutely ludicrous.
“I mean, what is it that they are afraid of? They keep mentioning national security.”
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Supporters of a duty of candour for public officials also include victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people, and the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, which saw hundreds of people wrongfully prosecuted and convicted.
Ms Aspinall told The Mirror: “The truth costs nothing, absolutely nothing. But look at how much it costs to tell lies and cover-up – millions upon millions of pounds it’s cost this country for the lies and cover-up. How long can that go on for?”
Mr Starmer has met Ms Apsinall privately on several occasions, including as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), as leader of the opposition, and as Prime Minister.
Speaking after the Bill was pulled earlier this year, the PM said: “I care hugely that we get this right, that we right the wrongs for very many families who’ve been let down, and ensure a better future for families in the future.”
He added: “What we’re now trying to do is just make sure we get the balance right when it comes to the application of any principle to the security and intelligence agencies. Obviously, I have to focus on the national interest. My primary duty as Prime Minister, which is to keep this country safe and secure, that is the duty I hold above all other duties. And I take it really seriously, which is why we’re just taking time to make sure that we get that balance absolutely right.”
A government spokeswoman told The Mirror: “The Hillsborough disaster will remain in our national consciousness for its tragedy and disgraceful injustice. New legislation will ensure the State must always act for the people it serves by preventing cover-ups and ensuring accountability in public office. It will apply to the intelligence services and must protect our national security. As we have done throughout this process, we are taking the time to get this right and ensuring we never compromise on national security.”
What is the Hillsborough Law?
Hillsborough campaigners have long fought for justice and a law to prevent the truth being hidden in the future. It was first proposed around a decade ago and bereaved families were given new hope when Keir Starmer’s Labour Party swept to power in July 2024.
A promise was made to introduce it by the 36th anniversary of the tragedy in April 2025. While the deadline was missed, the landmark legislation – officially named the Public Office (Accountability) Bill – was introduced to the Commons in September 2025.
It is designed to prevent future state cover-ups and creates a new legal duty of candour on public officials and authorities to be honest and transparent. There will be criminal penalties for lying or withholding information and it will also end the “David and Goliath” battle with an expansion of legal aid.
The Bill’s notes explained: “The Hillsborough disaster is a great stain on British history – this Bill aims to ensure that what happened following the disaster can never take place again.”
But as the 37th anniversary approaches, the Bill appears to be stuck in limbo. It was pulled from the Commons in January amid a row over how the legislation will apply to the security services and the prospect of a Labour rebellion. The government will be hoping negotiations with the families are resolved in time for Labour’s next annual conference in Liverpool in September.