Hillsborough law ‘must be right not rushed’ says Metro Mayor

Steve Rotheram said proposed government appointment of ex-Sun editor sent 'shivers down my spine'.

Transcript

00:00The Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City region says it's more important the Hillsborough Law is right than rushed,

00:07even as pressure builds on the government to deliver on its promise.

00:10Steve Rotherham spoke out on BBC Radio Mayor's side, saying he was disappointed the law wasn't introduced in time

00:16for the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster this April,

00:20as previously promised by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Labour's conference last year.

00:25The Hillsborough Law would make it a legal duty for public officials to tell the truth,

00:31known as a duty of candour, and provide proper legal funding for victims of state-related disasters.

00:37It's named in honour of the 97 fans unlawfully killed in the 1989 disaster.

00:43Campaigners, including survivors and bereaved families, say they fear the law could be watered down,

00:47stripped of any real accountability or sanctions.

00:50One of those voices is Labour MP Ian Byrne, himself a Hillsborough survivor.

00:54Mr Rotherham revealed he's been liaising behind the scenes with governments and families.

00:59He also criticised the appointment of ex-son editor David Dinsmore to a senior government role,

01:04a move that sparked outrage among campaigners.

01:07It sent shivers down my spine, he said.

01:10Though the mayor said he accepted that the appointment was a civil service role, not a political one.

01:15Dinsmore will lead the government communications service, a professional body that oversees communications activity across the governments.

01:21During a session of Prime Minister's Questions in June, Deputy PM Angela Rayner said legislation will be brought forward

01:28as soon as we're confident they'll deliver the justice victims deserve.

01:31Brotherham says if the final version reflects the original bill, it could pass quickly through Parliament.

01:38But for many, the wait has already gone on for far too long.