The Public Office (Accountability) Bill

Often tagged as the "Hillsborough Law" - its set to be introduced to Parliament tomorrow - to begin its journey into becoming law.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrpvrrrmj2o

The government said the new legislation would "end the culture of cover-ups" and learn lessons from wider disasters including the Grenfell Tower fire and the Post Office Horizon and infected blood scandals.

How much of that will actually become true remains to be seen, but it seems a good idea in principle.

[joglynne]

To add my pennies worth.
As you say " seems a good idea in principle." I know this is a sign of my naivety but should we really need it.

Surely if, cases are investigated in a more thorough manner to begin with, these issues should already have been subject to a proper investigation in the normal process of justice.

For example the Post Office had knowledge that the Horizon software had bugs when rolled out, prosecution witnesses changed their statements when prompted by the Post Office, and lawyers hid evidence during trials of subpostmasters because it would have made their prosecutions unsafe. (contempt of court?)

So, when these cover ups are identified, why do they need a new law to bring the guilty parties to justice. or is failure to speak the truth, disclose a material fact during a police investigation or prosecution proceedings accepted as a legal option.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by joglynne

To add my pennies worth.
As you say " seems a good idea in principle." I know this is a sign of my naivety but should we really need it.

Surely if, cases are investigated in a more thorough manner to begin with, these issues should already have been subject to a proper investigation in the normal process of justice.

For example the Post Office had knowledge that the Horizon software had bugs when rolled out, prosecution witnesses changed their statements when prompted by the Post Office, and lawyers hid evidence during trials of subpostmasters because it would have made their prosecutions unsafe. (contempt of court?)

So, when these cover ups are identified, why do they need a new law to bring the guilty parties to justice. or is failure to speak the truth, disclose a material fact during a police investigation or prosecution proceedings accepted as a legal option.

At Hillsborough, as I understand it higher ranking police officers changed the statements of lower ranking officers and they got away with it as there was no law to stop them, I may have misunderstood things, wouldn't be the first time

I think it is just a lot of cases where people can lie to frustrate investigations without consequence. Obviously, it's criminal to lie in court, but there appeared to be nothing illegal about South Yorkshire Police just lying about what happened to stop any justice being done.

I can't remember about the Post Office as I did think some of the cover-up there is criminal. The management seemed to know the system was faulty, but still went after the postmasters for compensation. At the very least, it's fraud.

[Mr K]

Wish they'd introduce a Politician Accountability Bill. Suspect none of them would pass. Accountability is only for others in the public sector.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by Mr K

Wish they'd introduce a Politician Accountability Bill. Suspect none of them would pass. Accountability is only for others in the public sector.

Love it

[joglynne]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

At Hillsborough, as I understand it higher ranking police officers changed the statements of lower ranking officers and they got away with it as there was no law to stop them, I may have misunderstood things, wouldn't be the first time

From memory and as far as I'm aware this would, if proven, be an Obstruction/Perverting the course of Justice case and there is no time limit for prosecuting such serious criminal offences. It just needs someone with balls to take action.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by joglynne

From memory and as far as I'm aware this would, if proven, be an Obstruction/Perverting the course of Justice case and there is no time limit for prosecuting such serious criminal offences. It just needs someone with balls to take action.

Well they've not been charged with anything and they're not going to be, I'd have thought if it were possible to scapegoat someone they would have