Public Advocate Bill Debate

MPs on both sides of the chamber delivered passionate speeches in the Commons this week during a debate on proposed reforms to the criminal justice system to better deal with public disasters.

Ninety-seven Liverpool fans died as a result of a terrace crush at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium during an FA Cup semi-final in 1989.

Survivors and relatives of the victims then spent more than 30 years searching for answers and fighting for justice.

Peter Dowd MP joined a debate secured by his colleague Maria Eagle MP, whose Public Advocate Bill seeks to create a dedicated independent adviser to work on behalf of families bereaved in major disasters.

Peter Dowd MP said: “Those connected to Hillsborough have been through hell and I supported the Public Advocate Bill in Parliament recently because I do not want other people have the same experience. The Government owe it to those victims of public disasters and their families to introduce an independent public advocate as a matter of urgency to support and fight for grieving relatives of victims who die in public disasters.”

Hillsborough families have said that a Public Advocate would help prevent decades-long battles for the truth and bolster relatives' fight against judicial bureaucracy.