The culture of cover-up within British public institutions has devastated countless lives. From Hillsborough to the infected blood scandal to the Primodos drug tragedy, families have spent decades fighting for truth against a system where many in authority have colluded against them.
This episode explores the urgent need for the Public Authority Accountability Bill – commonly known as Hillsborough Law – with two powerful voices leading the charge: Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester who first introduced the bill to Parliament in 2017; and Marie Lyon, chairwoman of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests.
The bill would establish a legal duty of candour with criminal sanctions for officials who mislead or obstruct investigations. Equally crucial, it would ensure parity of legal funding at inquests, stopping the practice where public bodies hire top legal representation while families struggle with limited resources. As Burnham explains: “It has been too easy for authorities to cover up in this country and too hard for ordinary families to get to the truth.”
Marie shares the harrowing story of how pregnant women were prescribed Primodos – a drug containing synthetic hormones at 40 times the dose in contraceptive pills – despite evidence dating back to 1967 showing it caused birth defects. The decades-long cover-up reveals a disturbing pattern: public bodies prioritising financial considerations over human suffering.
Despite prime minister Keir Starmer’s commitment to enact the law before the 36th anniversary of Hillsborough, the deadline has passed. Campaigners remain vigilant against attempts to water down the legislation.
“The British government underestimates the strength of the British people because people do not give in and they keep fighting,” says Burnham.
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