MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has released a statement following the Government’s official response to the Hillsborough Families Report. Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "The Hillsborough families and survivors have endured unimaginable heartache for decades. The suffering which has been compounded by institutional delay, after delay, after inexcusable delay. It is an utter disgrace the Government has once again tested their enduring patience by taking 6 years, and numerous Prime Ministers and Home Secretaries, to dignify Bishop James's report with a response. To apologise today, does not undo the harm yet more waiting has caused those who have suffered so deeply. While today's official response includes some long overdue steps in the right direction, it falls short of the Hillsborough Law called for by the families and their supporters. Committing to a Hillsborough Law would help to rebalance the scales of justice, ensuring bereaved families are treated in a fairer, more just way. There has been significant progress in increasing accountability and transparency within our justice system and the duty of candour for policing further embeds the commitment to ensuring no other families are so badly let down. But there can be no room for complacency. The introduction of a statutory duty of candour on all public servants would ensure these principles are enshrined across all bodies which have a role serving the public and help to ensure no other families are forced to endure the injustice they have experienced."
