The government has withdrawn an amendment to its proposed Hillsborough law following criticism from campaigners and MPs who argued it would allow security services to opt out of transparency requirements.
The Public Authority (Accountability) Bill aims to impose a legal duty on public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters. The now-withdrawn amendment would have brought spies within the scope of the legislation, but subject to approval by the head of their service, which critics said would let security service chiefs decide whether to disclose information.
A government spokesperson said the decision was intended “to make sure the bill is the strongest it can possibly be, without compromising national security.” The bill will still return to the Commons for its report stage and third reading, with further amendments expected when it reaches the Lords.
Campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the withdrawal, stating: “We shall engage further with government to ensure the bill fully applies to the security services whilst not jeopardising national security.”
The legislation was prompted by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 97 people died. After a 27-year campaign by families, an inquest in 2016 found the victims were unlawfully killed due to gross negligence by the commanding police officer, with no blame attributed to football supporters.
Labour MP Ian Byrne, a survivor of the disaster, said including the amendment would break promises made to the bereaved families. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned the amendment risked “almost permanent damage to the Labour party.”
