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Hillsborough Families Report: National Police Response
01 February 2023
Lead MP
Chris Philp
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Justice & Courts
Other Contributors: 29
At a Glance
Chris Philp raised concerns about hillsborough families report: national police response in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Hillsborough disaster was an awful, devastating tragedy. Its impact continues to be felt by the families of victims and it is imperative that lessons are learned from this experience. The Government is committed to engaging with the Hillsborough families before publishing a formal response to Bishop James Jones' report. Important steps have been made in recent years, including police integrity reforms, removal of means-testing for exceptional case funding, refreshing the 'Guide to Coroner Services', establishing an independent pathology review, and consulting on retaining police documents and an independent public advocate. The Government aims to respond fully during spring after engaging deeply with families.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Question
Since April 1989, 97 people have died due to actions by South Yorkshire Police and other agencies. The cover-up delayed justice and caused additional suffering for victims' families. Bishop Jones's report from 2017 has not yet been responded to properly. The police recently issued an apology but it is insufficient. Will the Government implement a Hillsborough law with immediate effect?
Minister reply
The Minister understands the sentiments expressed and agrees that the response needs to be expedited after consultation with families this spring. He acknowledges statutory changes made in 2020, including duty of cooperation for police officers, and reiterates commitment to responding comprehensively to Bishop Jones's recommendations.
Question
The apology is welcome but not sufficient; a proper response is needed. Will the Government publish its formal response this spring? Additionally, will they support an independent public advocate as promised in 2017?
Minister reply
For approximately four years, ongoing criminal legal proceedings delayed the formal response. However, the Government aims to respond quickly now after consulting families. An independent public advocate is being worked on and the Home Office will not hinder its implementation.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
I thank my hon. Friend for securing this urgent question. I highlighted the tragic loss of life at Hillsborough and criticised the delay in providing a Government response to the Bishop’s report despite previous assurances. The Home Secretary's absence from the session is described as a failure of responsibility.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the impact on families and apologised for police failures both during the disaster and subsequently. He explained that legal proceedings delayed the response but assured that it will now be expedited.
Robert Buckland
Con
South Swindon
Question
The right hon. Friend pressed the Minister on implementing an independent public advocate, noting previous work done in his role as Justice Secretary.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that while a consultation has taken place and government processes are ongoing, he is committed to progressing with this policy.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Question
He commended the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby on securing the urgent question and expressed concern over delays in a full Government response. He also asked about engagement with families going forward.
Minister reply
The Minister assured more engagement with families before publishing the final report and proposed scheduling a debate on its findings.
Rother Valley
Question
He highlighted the devastating impact of Hillsborough on South Yorkshire communities and asked for thorough engagement to ensure lessons are learned.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that full engagement with both families and wider communities will take place.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
She inquired about the Home Secretary's meeting with Bishop James Jones to discuss his report on Hillsborough.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that he would ask the Home Secretary to write to the Select Committee in response to this question.
Rob Butler
Con
Aylesbury
Question
He highlighted personal experience of tragedy and paid tribute to Sheffield residents for their compassion during the disaster, asking that police forces learn from past mistakes.
Minister reply
The Minister assured reinforcement of professional standards in policing through updated codes and ethics.
Maria Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Garston
Question
It is unconscionable that there has been no Government response to the bishop’s report since 2018. The Minister's delays are outrageous, and she points out her Public Advocate (No. 2) Bill which could advance legislation if the government would not object.
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is mistaken; significant work has been done on this issue since 2018, including changes to professional standards for policing and pathology reviews. The independent public advocate consultation is actively being considered by the Ministry of Justice.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay
Question
Will the Minister commit today to the principle of the independent public advocate, to ensure that in future, families would be on a level playing field?
Minister reply
The consultation on the independent public advocate did happen and is being actively considered at the moment. The police have comprehensively apologised for their behaviour.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Question
It is an absolute disgrace that the Home Secretary left during a debate about Hillsborough, and he asks the Minister to come back before the recess in February with an actual date for when the response will be given.
Minister reply
The hon. Member has direct personal experience of the tragedy at Hillsborough. The Minister assures him that he wants this done as soon as possible, and is doing everything he can to expedite the process.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Will my hon. Friend ensure that there will be a duty of candour and other legislative measures to ensure that the police own up to their mistakes?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees with his point, noting changes to the code of ethics by the College of Policing, as well as introducing statutory professional standards for the duty of co-operation.
Dan Carden
Lab
Liverpool Walton
Question
Why is it taking so long for the Government’s response to the report and when will they finally listen to calls for the Hillsborough law?
Minister reply
The full response will be brought forward as quickly as possible, and via the professional standards of policing in 2020, which are statutory, we have already introduced the duty of co-operation.
Christchurch
Question
Why is the Government blocking this legislative vehicle for establishing the independent public advocate?
Minister reply
The Government are not blocking progress, but there is a process to get cross-Government agreement. The Ministry of Justice is working on it actively right now.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
Question
The Minister has the ideal opportunity to back the Bill of my hon. Friend and we do not want to hear reasons why it cannot be done or that something will be brought forward in spring. The Government have an ideal opportunity to back this Bill on Friday. Will they do that? If not, why not?
Minister reply
Several things have been done in the last few years: professional standards for duty of co-operation; pathology review; consulting on retaining documents; consultation on the independent public advocate; removal of means-testing for exceptional case funding for bereaved families and inquests. The IPA is a Ministry of Justice lead and we will bring forward the full Government response quickly.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Birkenhead
Question
Will the Government block my hon. Friend's Bill when it comes before the House on Friday?
Minister reply
Several things have been done in the past few years to address issues raised by Bishop Jones’s report, including duty of candour on police and independent public advocate being a Ministry of Justice lead.
Question
Does the Minister agree that while plans to revise the police code of ethics are welcome, a new duty of candour on public authorities must have statutory footing?
Minister reply
A duty of co-operation on police in relation to inquiries was set out in professional standards for policing in 2020. We will respond to the wider duty of candour shortly.
Angela Eagle
Lab
Wallasey
Question
Will he go to the Ministry of Justice and get permission to ensure that my hon. Friend’s Bill is let into Committee on Friday?
Minister reply
I would be very happy to convey the hon. Lady's request to my Ministry of Justice colleagues.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Question
Can the Minister commit to supporting my hon. Friend’s Bill and an independent public advocate?
Minister reply
We will respond fully when we reply to Bishop Jones’s report, but on a statutory basis, professional standards for policing have been changed and updated.
Question
Can the Minister commit in principle to a Hillsborough law that would place a new legal duty of candour on public authorities?
Minister reply
We will respond fully when we reply to Bishop Jones’s report, ensuring that public bodies respond quickly, openly and honestly.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Question
Should the Home Secretary give a statement as soon as the police made an apology, expressing in the strongest terms that it would be sensible for her to come back at the next opportunity with a concrete date by which the Government will respond?
Minister reply
The Home Secretary did reference this issue during her speech yesterday and I can assure him that urgent discussions are happening.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
Echoing comments made by Conservative Members about the generosity and warmth of Sheffield residents around Hillsborough on that terrible day, Clive Betts highlights the failures of the South Yorkshire police and the issue of caging grounds. He asks how the Government will ensure all police forces abide by recommendations in their report to prevent such tragedies.
Minister reply
Chris Philp agrees with Clive Betts about the wrongness of caging football fans and commits to ensuring that the government's response has teeth, not just warm words.
Gill Furniss
Lab
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Question
Gill Furniss thanks her hon. Friend for securing an urgent question about Hillsborough and describes personal memories of the tragedy in Sheffield. She emphasises the importance of supporting a Bill that will be debated on Friday to ensure justice and prevent similar disasters.
Minister reply
Chris Philp acknowledges actions already taken, including professional standards for policing and removal of means test for exceptional case funding at inquest, and commits to raising IPA point with Ministry of Justice colleagues.
Barnsley South
Question
Stephanie Peacock criticises the Government's response as inadequate and asks why they won't back a Bill on Friday that would give victims equal access to public money for legal representation during inquests.
Minister reply
Chris Philp agrees it is an important issue and confirms removal of means test for exceptional case funding has already been implemented.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
Clive Efford criticises the Home Secretary's absence from the urgent question and predicts that without government support, the Bill will be opposed anonymously by Whips. He urges the Government to show proper respect to victims' families.
Minister reply
Chris Philp commits to communicating with Ministry of Justice colleagues regarding the private Member’s Bill.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
Jamie Stone emphasises the importance of a Hillsborough law and the need for public trust in police forces, which is currently undermined by recent events.
Minister reply
Chris Philp agrees that confidence in policing is crucial and mentions actions being taken to improve vetting and dismissals from police.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Question
Nia Griffith questions the implementation of the charter for families bereaved through public tragedy, asking how the Minister will ensure full training and regular updates on its requirements.
Minister reply
Chris Philp commits to ensuring College of Policing and HMICFRS monitor implementation across all 43 police forces.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Jim Shannon thanks hon. Members for their consistent efforts on this matter, urging the Minister to consider implementing Jones report proposals as a signal of change.
Minister reply
Chris Philp commits to addressing issues raised in various inquiries and ensuring closure through openness.
Shadow Comment
Ian Byrne
Shadow Comment
Since April 1989, 97 people have died due to actions by South Yorkshire Police and other agencies. The cover-up delayed justice and caused additional suffering for victims' families. Bishop Jones's report from 2017 has not yet been responded to properly. The police recently issued an apology but it is insufficient. The shadow calls for the immediate implementation of a 'Hillsborough law' based on Bishop Jones's recommendations to ensure future justice.
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