Victims of some of the UK’s most devastating tragedies—Hillsborough, Grenfell, the Manchester Arena attack, and Aberfan—have united for the first time to demand change. They believe decades of suffering could have been avoided if a new charter, compelling public bodies like the police to prioritize truth over reputation, had been introduced earlier. The Hillsborough Charter, set to be signed by most of Wales’ public bodies on March 18, 2025, in Merthyr Tydfil, marks a turning point. Here’s why it matters.
Aberfan: A Disaster That Scarred a Nation
On October 21, 1966, a coal waste tip collapsed in Aberfan, engulfing Pantglas Junior School and nearby homes, killing 116 children and 28 adults. Jeff Edwards, then eight years old, was the last child pulled alive from the rubble. “It would have made a hell of a difference,” he says of the charter. “People’s views would have been taken into consideration.”
The National Coal Board was found responsible, yet no one faced charges or lost their job. For Jeff, the physical wounds healed, but the psychological scars lingered. He sees the charter as a chance to “change the hearts and minds” of public servants. “Sixty years since Aberfan, lessons still haven’t been learned,” he adds. “This is a line in the sand.”
Hillsborough: A Fight for Accountability
The Hillsborough disaster on April 15, 1989, claimed 97 Liverpool fans in a stadium crush—the worst in British sporting history. An inquest later ruled the deaths unlawful, pointing to police failures. Yet, just last week, the Independent Office for Police Conduct found South Yorkshire officers tried to deflect blame, though they faced no misconduct charges due to outdated standards.
Margaret Aspinal, who lost her son James, 18, says, “He’d be proud of this charter—but upset I’ve missed so much fighting for justice.” She believes it could have spared families decades of pain. “I was raised to trust the police,” she says. “But cover-ups and injustice are morally wrong. There’d be no need for a charter if people did the right thing.”
Grenfell: A Tragedy of Neglect
On June 14, 2017, a fire tore through Grenfell Tower in London, killing 72 people due to flammable cladding and systemic failures across government, companies, and the fire service. Edward Daffarn, a 16th-floor resident, had warned of the building’s dangers for years—warnings that fell on deaf ears. “We were left fending for ourselves that night,” he recalls. “The community helped us, not the authorities.”
Edward believes a charter like Hillsborough’s could have forced action. “It feels as alive now as it did eight years ago,” he says of the trauma. The inquiry called the deaths “avoidable,” a stark reminder of what’s at stake.
Manchester Arena: Humanity Lost in the Aftermath
On May 22, 2017, a bomb exploded at Manchester Arena, killing 22 people leaving an Ariana Grande concert. Paul Price lost his partner Elaine, a police officer, and suffered life-changing injuries. “I remember my vision turning red, feeling airborne, knowing I was dying,” he says. An inquiry exposed failures by police, fire, and ambulance services.
Paul was left with no support, his grief compounded by medication that blurred his memories. “So much was taken from me,” he says. He hopes the charter will “put the humanity” back into public service, ensuring victims aren’t abandoned.
A New Era of Truth?
The Hillsborough Charter aims to rewrite how public bodies respond to tragedy. It demands openness, honesty, and transparency—compelling organizations to support victims rather than defend themselves. Around 50 Welsh public bodies, including emergency services and the government, will adopt it in Merthyr Tydfil. Inspired by a 2017 report from former Bishop James Jones, it’s a response to a “crisis of trust” in the state.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised a Hillsborough Law, including a legal duty of candour, by April 15, 2025—the disaster’s next anniversary. For victims like Jeff, Margaret, Edward, and Paul, it’s a long-overdue step toward justice. As Jeff puts it, “All people want is justice.” This charter might finally deliver it.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
