Labour mayor Andy Burnham said it is “frustrating” that the Government has failed to deliver on its promise to deliver a “Hillsborough Law” by the 36th anniversary of the disaster. The Greater Manchester Mayor and former Health Secretary said he “will not stop” until legislation to prevent future cover-ups is on the statute book.

Sir Keir Starmer promised at last year’s Labour conference that the proposed public office standards bill, known informally as the Hillsborough Bill, would be introduced before yesterday’s anniversary of the tragedy that cost 97 lives.

It would create a duty of candour for public servants including the police, and provide the families of victims with legal support to ensure they were properly represented at inquests or public inquiries.

Campaigners say the measures are essential after South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police paid damages for covering up the truth over the death of Liverpool fans in a crush at a 1989 FA Cup semi-final, while the legislation could also help the families of victims of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.

But the legislation has been delayed and a watered-down version is reportedly being prepared by the Cabinet Office.

Mr Burnham, who presented his own version of the law in a Private Member’s Bill in 2017, said: “It is now eight years since I presented the Hillsborough Law to Parliament and I find it frustrating that it has still not been enacted. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and I made a solemn pledge to the families and survivors that we will not stop until we see it in full on the statute book, and we recommit the same to them today.