The Scottish Government has rejected calls for a "Hillsborough law" giving new rights to bereaved families affected by public tragedy. Ministers believe the justice system is "robust" and have dismissed specific legislation as "unnecessary".
Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar, who has led the campaign for a new law, said: “This shameful complacency from the SNP is simply not good enough. Just like the rest of the UK, Scotland desperately needs new laws to reset the balance between powerful public bodies and the people at the heart of disasters and public scandals."
The so-called Hillsborough Law, which would apply in England, is the legacy project of the families and survivors of a disaster that took the lives of 97 Liverpool fans. Championed by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, the law would give families better access to money for legal representation at inquests and place a "duty of candour" on police officers and public officials.
