The Public Office (Accountability) Bill imposes a duty of candour on public authorities and officials, requiring them to cooperate proactively with investigations and inquiries. Hillsborough families battled for decades in search of justice after police leaders spun false narratives and withheld evidence about the disaster.
David Greene, NLJ consultant editor and senior partner at Edwin Coe, said: ‘Hillsborough showed that absent legislative change, public authorities play to their own tune when it comes to candour.
‘This is, of course, not just about Hillsborough but about setting standards for all public authorities. Victims and families, many of whom are still embroiled in litigation with the police, had to battle over many years against authorities to get to the truth.’
Edwin Coe, led by Greene, represented more than 600 survivors and families in legal actions against the South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police.
Law Society president Mark Evans, said: “We are pleased the UK government is moving forward with this Bill and we welcome a focus on providing legal aid for bereaved families during inquests.
'Now the government must ensure there is significant investment and develop a well-staffed, well-trained and sustainable sector, if it is to meet the projected increase in need from about 250 to 11,400 cases per year.
'To ensure people have solicitors to turn to in terrible circumstances, there must be sufficient legal aid provision.
'Creating parity of arms for victims is a key provision in this Bill. We therefore urge MPs to call for substantial investment and workforce planning to ensure that legal aid support for inquests is appropriately resourced, while maintaining the wider legal aid sector.'
