Recommendation 14

We also remain concerned that there may be a delay in the appointment of individual public advocates following major incidents, when it appears to remain their role to provide support directly to victims and bereaved family members. This could result in a gap in the support given in the immediate aftermath of such tragedies. We urge the Government to take steps to ensure that no such gap occurs. The Government should consider providing an undertaking that if an advocate is not appointed in 30 Human rights and the proposal for a “Hillsborough Law” respect of a major incident within 72 hours of that incident taking place, the Minister will attend before Parliament to explain this delay and will do so on a weekly basis until an appointment takes place. (Paragraph 101) Human rights and the proposal for a “Hillsborough Law” 31