Last week marked a historic moment in our country’s journey toward ensuring justice for all. On Tuesday Labour introduced the Public Office (Accountability) Bill to Parliament – otherwise known as the Hillsborough Law. This is a landmark piece of legislation that will help close the chapter on some of our nation’s darkest days.

The scars left by Hillsborough, Grenfell, Windrush and other tragedies run deep. They are etched into the foundations of our country, and they remind us of the devastating consequences when institutions fail and when truth is denied.

This Bill is not just a legal reform it will introduce significant changes to how public officials conduct themselves. This includes a Duty of Candour for public officials, with criminal sanctions for serious breaches, the largest expansion of legal aid in a decade, ensuring bereaved families are supported at inquests and a new criminal offence for misleading the public, ensuring accountability at the highest level.

This Bill is serious action to make state cover-ups a thing of the past. No family should ever again face the State alone. No public servant should ever be allowed to mislead without consequence. With this law, we begin to build a culture of honesty, integrity, and justice – one that truly serves the public interest. An historic day.