Inspirational Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall was awarded the Freedom of the Borough by Knowsley Council
20:38, 08 Jan 2025Updated 20:40, 08 Jan 2025
Margaret Aspinall at her Freedom of Knowsley Ceremony(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Inspirational Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall said she and the families of the 97 will not accept a ‘crumbs’ version of a Hillsborough Law, calling on the government to implement a full and comprehensive version.
Mrs Aspinall’s 18-year-old son James was one of the 97 victims who lost their lives at Hillsborough in 1989. The former chairperson of the now-disbanded Hillsborough Family Support Group, she has bravely fought for justice over three decades and dedicated her life to supporting victims and their families.
Tonight, Margaret received Knowsley’s Freedom of the Borough award at a special ceremony in Huyton’s municipal building, witnessed by a full council chamber – including Liverpool Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burham and Everton and Liverpool football club legends, Peter Reid and Alan Kennedy.
Ahead of the presentation, the chamber heard a number of speeches recognising Mrs Aspinall’s dedication to justice and there was a moving and emotional video tribute from local school children who sang ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ – leaving Mayor Ken McGlashan and others in tears.
Shortly afterwards, the whole chamber rose to its feet and offered applause to Mrs Aspinall who walked up to the front to accept the Freedom of the Borough award which has only been given eight times in Knowsley’s 50-year history.
The Lord Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Ken McGlashan, presents the Freedom of Knowsley to Margaret Aspinall.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Margaret said: “I’m really honoured to be given the Freedom of Knowsley and I truly do believe that this is not only for me, but for all the Hillsborough families and all those who have supported us along the way.”
Reflecting on the award ceremony and the evening as a whole, Margaret told the ECHO: “I just wished my mother was alive to see this, because she’d have been so proud.”
Mrs Aspinall made time to comment on the progress of Hillsborough Law which will enshrine accountability for families and loved ones in the painful aftermath of tragedies like Hillsborough. It will offer significant safeguards to future victims of major disasters and compel public bodies to cooperate with investigations or face potential criminal sanctions.
Mrs Aspinall said she was contacted by the prime minister, Sir Kier Starmer, at the last Labour conference and was assured the legislation will be passed before the 36th anniversary of the tragedy in April. Addressing the chamber, Mrs Aspinall said: “I am not holding my breath just yet, for the simple reason we had promises in the past and been let down.”
She added: “I want it in all its entirety. I don’t want crumbs of a Hillsborough Law. I want it all.” Mrs Aspinall finished with saying: “After 36 years in April, we are still fighting to get a Hillsborough Law so I pray, and my job is done if that is achieved.”
Speaking to the ECHO, Mrs Aspinall said the passing of a full and comprehensive Hillsborough Law would be an incredible legacy for all the campaigners and for their 97 loved ones who lost their lives. She said: “97 people were unlawfully killed. Unlawfully killed!
Margaret Aspinall speaking at her Freedom of Knowsley Ceremony.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
“Yet not one person has been held to account for that. What kind of a system is that? It’s a stain on the justice system. So we have to change things with the Hillsborough Law for the good of everybody else.”
Asked to respond to the potential passing of the legislation this year, Mrs Aspinall said: “It’s something I’m really proud of, and I know James would be really proud of, too.
“If Hillsborough Law had been in place back then the lies that denied us justice for decades would never have been able to be told. And the truth about that dreadful day would have been known from day one.
“The people of Liverpool stood by us from the very beginning. They believed in us. They knew we were telling the truth. And that makes me so proud to be a scouser. Liverpool people will fight for what’s right, what’s just, what’s proper.”