Report into Hillsborough tragedy could help Grenfell Tower victims get justice
Ex-Bishop of Liverpool James Jones' report on the football disaster makes recommendations on helping bereaved families, which could be applied to the victims of Grenfell
A NEW report into the Hillsborough disaster may help Grenfell Tower victims get justice.
Ex-Bishop of Liverpool James Jones said bereaved families felt they were let down by poor treatment after a public tragedy.
A change in “attitude, culture, heart and mind” is needed to prevent a repeat, his report, published yesterday, said.
Families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the 1989 FA Cup semi have long argued the response by South Yorkshire Police and a lack of legal aid led to a failure to establish the truth.
Bishop Jones set out 25 recommendations in his report. He proposed public bodies and police sign up to a charter for bereaved families.
This would ensure greater transparency and make authorities put honesty and openness above protecting reputation.
The bishop supported the proposed Hillsborough Law which aims to make it an offence for public officials to mislead or refuse to co-operate with inquiries.
He called for legal aid for families at inquests, and an end to public bodies spending limitless sums on lawyers.
And he said a false media narrative added to the pain of families, citing The Sun’s The Truth headline as an example.
Bishop Jones said: “The bravery and tenacity of the Hillsborough families has been exceptional . . . but the fact it was necessary demonstrates a failure of the processes to bring about justice.”
Margaret Aspinall, of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: “I urge the Government to read this report in full.
“Implementing these reforms will mean the Grenfell families and others will never have to go through what we did.”
An estimated 80 people died in the West London tower block fire in June.
