“Hillsborough Law”

Baroness Kramer Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)]

The noble Baroness has made a very good point. I will write to her on that matter; it is clearly a sensitive matter, so I think it is more appropriate to write.

[Baroness Kramer (LD)]

My Lords, I am a very strong supporter of the duty of candour; nothing should hinder the Hillsborough law from coming on to the statute books as soon as possible. However, does the Minister understand that, to make it fully effective—this could be done in a further process—there has to be protection for the people who speak out, who are very afraid of the detriment that they will experience, as well as a system that ensures there is investigation when the issues are raised?

[Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)]

The noble Baroness has made a very good point in raising the issue of whistleblowers, which I have heard her raise in many other contexts as well. It is worth making the point from this Dispatch Box that the duty of candour is itself a piece of legislation, but a range of measures needs to be taken and behaviours inculcated into our public service to address the wider issues which have been revealed—if I can put it like that—through past behaviours over the past couple of decades.