The Hillsborough Law is expected to clear its remaining stages in the House of Commons this week, after ministers previously suggested it would not return before the summer recess. The legislation, formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, would impose a legally enforceable duty of candour on public officials and authorities to act transparently during investigations and inquiries.
Background of the Hillsborough Disaster
The bill takes its name from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 97 Liverpool fans were killed in a crush at an FA Cup semi-final match at Sheffield's Hillsborough stadium. Following the tragedy, key public servants, including police officers, were found to have misrepresented decisions leading up to the fatal crush at the Leppings Lane end of the ground.
Government Support and Delays
Both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his likely successor Andy Burnham have expressed support for the law change. However, it faced repeated delays due to concerns from security services about its impact on intelligence operations. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said last week he was "confident" the bill would return "in the coming days," despite other government figures suggesting it would wait until after the summer recess.
The government now believes it has reached a point where individual employees and former employees of the intelligence services will be covered by the duty of candour without compromising national security. This will be set out in amendments to the bill, due to be debated this week.
Amendments and Campaign Reaction
A government source stated: "This is an overwhelming victory after months of hard work to find a solution that ensures we have a duty of candour that applies to the intelligence services without compromising national security. The Hillsborough Law will fundamentally change the balance of power so the state can never hide from the people it is supposed to serve, and so victims can always get justice."
The latest amendments create a process where intelligence employees send information under the duty of candour to the head of their organisation, who would then be responsible for passing it to public investigators.
The Hillsborough Law Now campaign welcomed the news, describing it as "a major step towards delivering the landmark changes that bereaved families and survivors have fought for over decades to prevent state cover-ups." The campaign added: "The Government has now conceded that there will be no carve-outs, no exemptions for security services or anyone else, breaking the impasse that has persisted since January. This is an important milestone, not just for Hillsborough families, but for every family who has experienced a cover-up and lack of accountability from public authorities. We are a big step closer to ensuring that no family has to again fight for the truth for decades. Once the Bill completes its Commons stages this week, the journey continues in the House of Lords."
