The tragic Hillsborough football disaster has led the British government to introduce a law ordering public officials to tell the truth during investigations or face jail.
After a spate of tragedies, deaths and cover-ups the UK has brought in the Hillsborough Law to try to reverse the public’s mistrust in the law and to fulfil an election manifesto promise by the Labour government.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally promised victims he would drive through the bill to establish a “legal duty of candour” on public officials and authorities, requiring them tell the truth to prevent cover-ups.
During the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium in 1989 a mass crush led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans after police lost control. It took decades of public inquiries and legal action by the victims’ families to uncover the truth, after public officials lied.
Similar problems have plagued the British legal system with the Horizon scandal, in which hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongfully jailed, the infected blood outrage, and the Grenfell Tower fire.
The landmark legislation now aims to banish the dissembling by making it a statutory duty – with the probable threat of jail – for officials to tell the truth and fully co-operate with official investigations into major incidents.
“The Hillsborough Law will once and for all end the culture of cover-ups and hiding the truth, ensuring transparency, accountability and support for bereaved families,” the government said in a statement announcing the law.
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill will introduce “seismic changes” that will mean public officials “must act with honesty and integrity at all times” or face “criminal sanctions for egregious breaches”.
A new offence of “misleading the public” will probably lead to jail, especially if it is done in a manner that is “seriously improper”. Mr Starmer, who held a reception at Downing Street for Hillsborough families, said the disaster would “always remain in our national consciousness for its tragedy and disgraceful injustice”.
“But today it can also be remembered for the way it changed our country for the better,” he added. “Because 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.”
Mr Starmer had made his pre-election promise directly to Margaret Aspinall, a campaigner whose son died at Hillsborough, who he met at Downing Street on Tuesday. She said that the law would “mean no one will ever have to suffer like we did”.
The legislation aims to ensure that inquiries focus solely “on establishing the facts to deliver justice for victims – avoiding ‘David and Goliath’ style showdowns” with expensive lawyers hired by the government.
In the largest expansion of legal aid in a decade, bereaved families will also be given free legal representation at inquests, and public institutions will have to ensure their spending is always proportionate. This will prevent the state “from hiding behind unjustifiably large legal teams at inquests and making sure both sides are on a fair and equal footing”, the government said.
It will also ensure that the state “conducts itself with openness and honesty” and acts purely to help the coroner “establish the facts of the case to deliver answers for victims and their families”.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa, Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammad Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Price: From Dh149,900
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EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
How Sputnik V works
match details
Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Silva 8' &15, Foden 33')
Birmginahm City 0
Man of the match Bernado Silva (Manchester City)
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
RESULTS
5pm: Rated Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Abubakar Daud
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Tair, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner: Son Of Normandy, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
