Overview

Candour and Communities tells a shocking story about lies to the public and institutional cover-ups. Across a 100-year timeline it connects just some of the many disasters and scandals that have had devastating impacts. It is a story of how hard it is for ordinary people to get to the truth.

But Candour and Communities also shines a light of hope. A new law could end the culture of lies and cover-ups. Campaigners call the new law ‘Hillsborough Law’, and it is making its way through Parliament under the name of the ‘Public Office (Accountability) Bill’. Hillsborough Law imposes duties on everyone who works for public services, institutions and public authorities to act with candour, transparency and frankness. ‘Candour’ means being open and honest in communication with the public.

This exhibition is on tour around the UK. It encourages you, the public, to contribute to research that is exploring what the public think about Hillsborough Law. The exhibition has been co-developed with representatives from the communities affected by the events it features. The summaries are based on independently verified facts and evidence available in the public domain. Each of the events and their impacts are described in the words of the individuals, communities and organisations who resolutely campaign for truth and justice.

“Hillsborough Law is not just a symbolic fix. It’s a practical one which will ensure a duty of candour and equal access to legal representation. The people who make up these campaigns have dedicated years of our lives to honour our loved ones and ensure, by achieving Hillsborough Law, no one who comes after us has to. Justice should be the default and this is a huge step towards that”

Lobby Akinnola, COVID-19 Bereaved
Families for Justice, inquest.org

“The Hillsborough Law will right wrongs of the past, changing the balance of power to ensure the state can never hide from the people it should serve”

Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister