Guardian

Hillsborough, Grenfell, Windrush, the Post Office scandal: the guilty escape justice. Well, not any more | David Lammy

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David Lammy reflects on the long struggle for justice faced by families affected by major British disasters and scandals, including the Hillsborough disaster, Grenfell Tower fire, the Windrush scandal, and the Post Office scandal. He highlights how each of these events initially saw victims and their families denied truth and justice, often subjected to official cover-ups or institutional failures. Lammy emphasizes the crucial role of campaigning families and grassroots movements in forcing the state to acknowledge wrongdoing and deliver accountability.

Lammy draws parallels across these cases, noting a pattern where victims’ pleas were dismissed or disbelieved, only for later inquiries and legal processes to vindicate their claims. He praises the courage and persistence of bereaved families who defied powerful interests despite immense pain and bureaucratic indifference. These efforts eventually led to wider public awareness, policy changes, and judicial outcomes that uncovered systemic failings.

He stresses the importance of learning from these experiences to reform institutions and prevent similar injustices in the future. This includes ensuring transparency, honest investigations, and fair treatment of claimants to avoid prolonged suffering and mistrust. Lammy also points out that justice delayed is justice denied, urging a shift towards timely recognition and redress.



The article underscores how collective memory and political will shape responses to such crises, pushing society toward greater accountability. While recognizing the progress made, Lammy calls for continual vigilance and reform to uphold human rights and dignity in the face of institutional shortcomings. The struggles of these families serve as a powerful reminder of the need for systemic change to foster genuine justice in Britain.



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