By Dan Grennan

Copyright dailystar

Public officials could be criminally charged for dishonesty under the long-anticipated Hillsborough Law , designed to prevent future state cover-ups. In an address to the nation, Keir Starmer unveiled a new law he said would put an end to “the culture of obfuscation and cover-up, so public institutions can never again hide from those they are there to serve”. This follows a decades-long struggle by the families of the 97 Liverpool fans who tragically lost their lives in a fatal crush at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield’s Hillsborough stadium. Bereaved relatives including Margaret Aspinall – who met Starmer when he was Director of Public Prosecutions – spent years fighting for justice for their loved ones after police wrongfully accused Liverpool supporters for the catastrophe. The Prime Minister stated: “Today, I am proud to be making good on the promise I made to Margaret by bringing in the Hillsborough Law. I know nothing can ever undo the years of injustice those families have endured. But I hope it can add to the already profound legacy they have created in memory of the 97.” He further added: “With this law, we are changing the balance of power in Britain and ensuring that the State can never hide from the people it is supposed to serve. Make no mistake – this a law for the 97, but it is also a law for the sub-postmasters who suffered because of the Horizon scandal, the victims of infected blood, and those who died in the terrible Grenfell Tower fire.” The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, set to be introduced in Parliament on Tuesday, will establish a legal duty of candour for all public officials, such as police officers, with criminal penalties for lying or withholding information. A fresh criminal offence targeting those who mislead the public will be established – featuring criminal penalties for the most severe violations. The legislation also encompasses a pledge to provide legal aid funding to assist victims in David and Goliath-style confrontations with official authorities. Mr Starmer gave a personal undertaking to deliver the legislation to Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James perished at Hillsborough. She remarked: “It’s been a long journey to get here. I am so grateful to the Prime Minister for fulfilling his promise to me. “This campaign wasn’t about just us, it is about the ordinary people of this country, hopefully this law will mean no one will ever have to suffer like we did. This promise now was well worth waiting for, for the good of the people. We have got the Hillsborough Law!”. The Prime Minister is anticipated to meet several families and activists at Downing Street on Tuesday. Government ministers have been working frantically to present the bill to Parliament ahead of Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool at the close of September. Mr Starmer had previously vowed to introduce the legislation in time for the Hillsborough disaster anniversary in April, but advancement ground to a halt, sparking concerns it might be weakened. A representative for the Hillsborough Law Now campaign implored the Government to “be brave and ignore the vested interests” of those who could try to water it down. “From Hillsborough to Grenfell, from Nuclear Test Veterans to Post Office Sub-Masters, from Infected Blood Scandals to victims of terrorist atrocities, all have shown that the state far too often fails victims and, even worse, makes their tragedies worse with smears, lies and cover-ups,” the spokesman said. They added: “This landmark Bill, introduced today, if passed and implemented in full, will lead to massive cultural change and prevent the cover-ups and institutional defensiveness that have pervaded across so many disasters and scandals.” A Downing Street insider revealed: “Keir has been all over this since coming into government. Time and again he was told by the system ‘it can’t be done’, or, ‘it’s too difficult’. But he wouldn’t accept it, because he knew how important this is for not just the Hillsborough families, but other campaigners like those from the Grenfell, Horizon and infected blood scandals.” Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, declared: “The tabling of The Hillsborough Law is the biggest victory for ordinary people campaigning and organising together in generations – and the most important change in how our justice system treats ordinary citizens – since the Human Rights Act. “We must never forget that while it was Liverpool supporters who went to Hillsborough that day, the tragedy touched families and communities right across the country. But the same injustices had, and continue to be, a stain on our country’s reputation for fairness and justice. Until today.” For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .