Burnham vows to end UK 'cover-up culture' with new law

Burnham asserted that this legislation would fundamentally alter the nation's approach to justice, describing it as a "rewiring of the state" that would transfer power from authorities to ordinary citizens. The bill, named in memory of the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy where 97 Liverpool fans died, mandates public bodies to be truthful and cooperative in investigations. Survivors and victims' families have long campaigned for such measures following revelations of police cover-ups and misinformation surrounding the Hillsborough deaths.

Expressing pride in seeing the values of his birth city, Liverpool, embedded in national policy, Burnham highlighted how the bill would aid other victims of injustice, including those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, nuclear test veterans, and wrongly accused sub-postmasters. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged Burnham to address these scandals once in office. Burnham also acknowledged Starmer's "commitment to a country based on justice and fairness," calling the Hillsborough legislation his "legacy."