WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter says the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the Hillsborough disaster were ‘woefully let down’ by a number of public bodies.

It comes as justice secretary Robert Buckland said the Government will ‘always consider opportunities to review the law and how it operates’ following the collapse of trials relating to the Hillsborough disaster.

Mr Buckland also paid tribute to the ‘immense courage, determination and patience’ of the families of the 96 victims of the 1989 tragedy, as he answered an urgent question on the issue in the House of Commons.

The trial of two retired police officers and a solicitor accused of perverting the course of justice following the disaster collapsed last month after the judge ruled there was no case to answer.

Responding to the urgent question from Labour's Maria Eagle, MP for Garston and Halewood, Mr Buckland said: “We recognise the need for those in public office to act responsibly and to discharge their duties with both honesty and integrity.

“And as we continue to consider the judgment in the latest Hillsborough trial and its implications, we will of course always consider opportunities to review the law and how it operates.

“I want families to know that this will be no exception. We are carefully considering the points made by the former Bishop of Liverpool James Jones in his 2017 report on the experiences of the Hillsborough families, including in relation to the proposed duty of candour, and our focus now after this trial’s conclusion will be on publishing the Government’s overarching response to the report after having further consulted with all the families.”

Mr Buckland added that ‘the Government continues to be committed to engaging with the survivors and the bereaved families’ and said it was ‘critical’ that lessons were learned from Hillsborough.

He reiterated the apology made by former prime minister David Cameron and also paid tribute to the ‘immense courage, determination and patience of the families of the 96 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster and those injured who, 32 years on, continue to grieve about the events of that truly terrible day’.

Conservative Mr Carter has issued a statement.

He said: “The 96 Liverpool fans who died at the Hillsborough disaster, which include 4 from Warrington, along with their families were woefully let down by a number of public bodies and the Government has rightly apologised for the failings.

“Following the collapse of legal proceedings in the court last week, where two retired police officers and an ex-solicitor accused of altering police statements after the Hillsborough disaster were acquitted.

“Today I asked the Lord Chancellor to look at the law in relation to those who hold public office and to make changes necessary so that such failings cannot be allowed to happen again.”