Bereaved woman says Hillsborough Law would expose 'culture of secrecy'
Julia Hopper campaigned for a mental health Inquiry to 'expose the truth' of what happened to her son, Christopher, who took his own life
A bereaved woman has said a "Hillsborough Law" - which would introduce a legal duty of candour on public bodies - would help expose "a culture of secrecy".
This week Sir Keir Starmer confirmed a "Hillsborough Law" will be introduced in Parliament before the next anniversary of the 1989 football stadium tragedy in April 2025.
The Law will introduce a duty of candour on public servants and increase their accountability.
Officials or organisations that mislead or obstruct investigations could potentially face criminal sanctions.
Julia Hopper has told Greatest Hits Radio this law is "critical" in avoiding a "culture of secrecy".
Ms Hopper's son, Christopher Nota, took his own life after being discharged from a mental health unit in Essex.
She campaigned for a statutory Inquiry, alongside other bereaved mothers, to 'find out the truth' about what happened to her son.
The Lampard Inquiry is an ongoing investigation into the deaths of at least 2000 mental health inpatients in Essex, and those that died within three months of being discharged from care.
Ms Hopper told us she is "really encouraged" by the PM's declaration but wishes this law had come into force earlier.
"It's really positive this has happened because there's been a culture of secrecy and professionals bounding together to create their version of events.
"If we don't ever have the truth then we can never hold anyone accountable."
Ms Hopper told us if people had stood by Andy Burnham and the law had been carried out earlier, people that have lost loved ones "would not have felt so broken, and broken-hearted".
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham first pledged a "Hillsborough Law" in 2017.
He was instrumental in getting the Gordon Brown Labour government to set up the Hillsborough independent panel.
Mr Burnham said ahead of the announcement: "It says something about the measure of Keir Starmer that he is coming straight back to deliver on the commitment to the Hillsborough families and others."
He said the law was about "future cover-ups... and active cover-ups".
Speaking on behalf of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) on the third day of the Lampard Inquiry, Eleanor Grey KC apologised on behalf of the Trust, acknowledging a series of failings, including allegations of sexual assault by staff.
She said there had been “serious issues raised about staff conduct including the neglect and abuse of patients, staff falling asleep on duty and inadequate patient observations”.
The chief executive of EPUT, Paul Scott, said: "I welcome the Lampard Inquiry and we will do all we can to support Baroness Lampard and the team to deliver the answers that families and patients are seeking.”
The inquiry continues in November with a two-week session, being heard remotely.
Evidence sessions will be held in London in 2025, with a final report unlikely to be published before the end of 2026.