Charlotte Hennessey: “It Is Infuriating” – Why Hillsborough Law Must Be Passed in Full | OneFootball

Hillsborough Law Explained: Charlotte Hennessey on Justice for the 97

Understanding Hillsborough Law and Its Purpose

On The Redmen TV, Charlotte Hennessey, whose father, Jimmy, was one of the 97 unlawfully killed at Hillsborough in 1989, sat down with Ste Hoare to discuss the Hillsborough Law—a proposed legal reform designed to prevent future miscarriages of justice and cover-ups by public authorities.

Hennessey, a long-standing advocate for the law, explained its importance: “A Hillsborough Law is made up of different elements… but in short, it looks at the way we were treated over the years and is an attempt to put those things right.”

At its core, the law would introduce a legal duty of candour, compelling public servants, civil servants, and professionals to be open, honest, and transparent in all matters of public concern.

She noted that while NHS workers already operate under such a duty, other organisations—including police forces—do not: “I work for the NHS myself, and I have a legal duty of candour… but if we look outside of that, it doesn’t really exist.”

Legal Loopholes and the Culture of Cover-Ups

One of the most striking parts of the discussion was how, without a Hillsborough Law, authorities have been able to withhold evidence, sanitise reports, and protect themselves at the expense of the truth.

Referring to a recent IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) report, Hennessey explained: “They’ve been doing yet another report… and what they’ve said is that the law at the time allowed [South Yorkshire Police] to put their best case forward. That’s where we’ve ended up with sanitising evidence, taking out the bits that make them look bad, turning it onto Liverpool fans.”

This kind of behaviour, she emphasised, would become a criminal offence under the proposed law.

She highlighted other cases beyond Hillsborough, including the Grenfell disaster and the Lucy Letby case in Southport, arguing that the law would apply to all public tragedies: “Now we’re finding that there have been multiple different agencies and professionals involved with that horrible person… and if Hillsborough Law is passed in its entirety, the Southport inquiry will probably be the first thing that comes under it.”

Fighting for Justice Against Political Resistance

Despite the clear need for such legislation, there are concerns that the government may introduce a diluted version that fails to hold public authorities fully accountable.

Ste Hoare asked about the April 15th deadline, noting that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously indicated that the bill might be passed by the anniversary of the disaster. However, Hennessey expressed scepticism: “If the Prime Minister does go back on this, it won’t be the first time that he personally has made a promise to Hillsborough families and survivors and then not done it.”

The conversation turned to the long-standing pattern of government inaction, with Hennessey recalling how, even during the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s findings, key witnesses were still able to refuse to give evidence: “For me, it was like, well, how is this closure? How is this… gaining truth into what happened?”

She detailed the devastating moment she learned that police officers had refused to testify about her father’s death, despite holding crucial evidence: “They had kept it to themselves for 25 years that when they went to see my dad in the gym… they unzipped the body bag and my dad had vomited inside it and he was hot and sweaty.”

For many families, these stories reinforce why Hillsborough Law must be passed in full, without compromise.

Photo: IMAGO

Why Hillsborough Law Matters for Everyone

One of Hennessey’s key messages was that this is not just about Hillsborough or Liverpool FC—it’s about ensuring that no family has to go through the same ordeal again.

“It could affect anybody at any time. It’s not a football thing… and it doesn’t just apply to our club.”

She urged football fans and the wider public to get involved by supporting the campaign and pressuring MPs: “The more people that get on board, the more people that support Hillsborough Law, the better. Strength in numbers, as they say.”

For those looking to support the cause, she encouraged them to visit hillsboroughlawnow.org and spread awareness.

As the campaign moves forward, Liverpool fans—and beyond—will be watching closely to see if the government finally delivers the full justice the 97 deserve.