Mayor hails 'Scouse mums' for Hillsborough Law fight

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Mayor hails 'Scouse mums' for Hillsborough Law fightImage source, /Claire HamiltonImage caption, Margaret Aspinall, whose son James died at Hillsborough, and Charlotte Hennessy whose Dad Jimmy was killed, have long campaigned for the legislationByClaire Hamilton Merseyside political reporterPublished1 hour agoThe mayor of Liverpool City Region has paid tribute to "unsung heroes" and "Scouse mums" for driving forward a Hillsborough Law. Steve Rotheram echoed a speech given by the late Everton chairman Bill Kenwright in 2013 in which he addressed the families of those who died in the 1989 disaster. Kenwright said: "I saw your banner saying, 'You've taken on the wrong city', well you've taken on the wrong mums too, because we all know about Liverpool mums and the way they fight for their kids and their families.

"Rotheram said that phrase rang true 13 years later, after Hillsborough Law, formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, was approved by MPs. As well as recognising the contribution of ordinary people, "many of whom we will never know", Rotheram revealed that he and Makerfield MP Andy Burnham, who is set to be unveiled as Sir Keir Starmer's successor as Labour leader on Friday, had meetings "at the highest level" with UK security services to get the new bill "over the line". Figure caption, Steve Rotheram says the legislation "recognises the fight for truth and justice" The Hillsborough Law creates a legal duty for public officials to tell the truth to inquiries and investigations.

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Ninety seven Liverpool fans died as a result of the crush during the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough in 1989. It took 27 years before a court finally ruled that those who died were unlawfully killed, and that the fans who were caught up in the crush bore no responsibility for causing it. Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Andy Burnham hugs Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall after the legislation cleared the CommonsRotheram said the legislation came too late for the Hillsborough families who had fought for decades to correct the false narratives spread by police and some media in the aftermath of the tragedy.

He said: "There will never be justice for the 97, but the truth is out there because of these brilliant people who have campaigned and then this now is a fitting legacy for them. "The bill is expected to become law by autumn. Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy (centre right), Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall (centre), Steve Rotheram Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region (right), Makerfield MP Andy Burnham (fourth left) and Hillsborough families at the Hillsborough memorial at Anfield, LiverpoolDowning Street had withdrawn the bill from the parliamentary agenda in January following disagreements over how far it would require intelligence services to comply with a proposed legal "duty of candour" on public bodies and officials.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.