Burnham to press case for 'Hillsborough Law'

HOME SECRETARY Theresa May will be pressed to agree to the creation of a '˜Hillsborough Law' tomorrow.

By The Newsroom Sunday, 12th June 2016, 12:52 pm Updated Monday, 13th June 2016, 12:56 pm

Andy Burnham

Labour has been pushing for the measure since the conclusion of the Hillsborough inquests which would remove time limits on misconduct investigations into the actions of police officers who have subsequently retired.

The so-called Hillsborough Law is part of a wider package of changes put forward by Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham including giving bereaved families equal funding when police officers are involved in inquests.

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Labour will also repeat its call for the Government to press ahead with the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry into the media which is supposed to examine the relationship between the media and police.

The proposals will be debated in the Commons today as MPs vote on the Policing and Crime Bill.

The conduct of the Hillsborough inquests led to concerns about the amount spent on legal advice on behalf of police officers and the resources available to families.

Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham, a leading figure in the Hillsborough justice campaign, said: “Hillsborough must mark a moment of real change when Parliament rebalances the police and criminal justice system and puts more power in the hands of ordinary people. Never again should any bereaved families have to fight like the Hillsborough families have had to fight.

“We must call time on the uneven playing field at inquests where public bodies spend public money like water on hiring the best lawyers when ordinary families have to scratch around for whatever they can get.”

Labour will ask for a ban on anonymous police briefings to the media until the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry is completed.

Mr Burnham added: “After the Hillsborough verdict, Parliament has an unprecedented moment where it can act to rebalance the country in favour of ordinary families.