British government stops short of introducing Hillsborough law in response to report

The British government has stopped short of introducing a Hillsborough Law called for by campaigners in its response to a report into the experiences of the bereaved families.

Former bishop of Liverpool the Right Rev James Jones set out 25 learning points in his report The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power, published in November 2017 following inquests into the deaths at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield - where 97 Liverpool FC fans died.

In a response published on Wednesday, the British government said it had signed up to a Hillsborough Charter, pledging to place the public interest above its own reputation, but said a "Hillsborough Law" incorporating a legal duty of candour was not necessary.

In the foreword to the report, the UK's home secretary James Cleverly and justice secretary Alex Chalk acknowledged the response had taken "too long, compounding the agony of the Hillsborough families and survivors".

They added: "For this we are deeply sorry."

British prime minister Rishi Sunak said: "The Hillsborough families have suffered multiple injustices and more than 34 years later there can never be too many apologies for what they have been through.

"And I want to repeat that apology today and thank the Hillsborough families for their tenacity, patience and courage."

In his 2017 report, Mr Jones called for "full consideration" to a "Hillsborough Law" or Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, which would include a legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and proactively co-operate with official investigations and inquiries.

But the response stated that those in power were "not aware" of any gaps in legislation or clarifications needed that would further encourage a