17/07/24
King's Speech - Hillsborough Law & Martyn's Law
The inclusion of both a Hillsborough Law and Martyn’s Law in the King’s Speech is a real victory for "people power".
The two laws cover very different territory. The first deals with how public officials conduct themselves at inquiries; the second covers the way public venues cater for the threat of terrorism.
Both laws have grown out of the bitter experience of people who’ve been bereaved or have survived mass-scale tragedies. Both have involved years of campaigning.
Those pushing for a Hillsborough Law will be pleased to see the bill also includes legal funding for bereaved families at public inquiries, though they may say the devil will be in the detail here.
Figen Murray - whose son Martyn Hett was killed at Manchester Arena has been campaigning to improve counter-terrorism safety at venues - says seeing Martyn’s Law included in the speech comes as a "huge relief".
Related Links
Back to index