I spoke in a Westminster Hall Debate on proposals for a Hillsborough Law designed to prevent future state cover-ups, speed up justice for victims and ensure lessons are learned. The harms caused by state scandals like Hillsborough, Contaminated Blood and Primodos have only been compounded by attempts to cover them up.

I have long supported my friend Ian Byrne MP in his campaign for a Hillsborough Law worthy of the name, signing his letter when the government looked set to water it down. I am glad that the government has now laid this legislation down, in the form of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill. The main upside of this legislation would be the introduction of a legal duty of candour and assistance requiring public authorities and public officials to at all times act with candour, transparency and frankness in their dealings with inquiries and investigations. Failure to comply would be a criminal offence, improving cooperation, ensuring transparency and preventing state bodies from covering up their own wrongdoing. I will continue to support efforts to ensure this bill is as watertight as it can be.