The UK government has been forced into a significant climbdown over its proposed Hillsborough Law, withdrawing a contentious amendment that would have allowed intelligence chiefs to decide whether their agencies must be fully candid after public disasters.
Climbdown Over Security Services Exemption
On Monday 19 January 2026, the government decided not to proceed with its own amendment to the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, commonly known as the Hillsborough Law. The move follows intense criticism from campaigners, bereaved families, and MPs across parties who argued the change watered down the core 'duty of candour' the legislation is designed to enforce.
The amendment, tabled just days earlier on Wednesday 14 January, sought to bring spies and security services within the law's scope. However, it included a crucial caveat: disclosure would be subject to approval by the head of their service. Campaigners for Hillsborough Law Now warned this created a dangerous loophole, allowing those running agencies like MI5 and MI6 to "hide serious failures behind a vague claim of national security".
Campaigners and Mayors Voice Opposition
The proposed change drew swift and powerful condemnation. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham issued a joint statement on Saturday 17 January, declaring the amendment "risks undermining the spirit of the legislation" and "creates too broad an opt-out" for the security services.
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, a long-time campaigner, said he would be unable to support the bill with the government's amendments included. He had tabled several of his own amendments to strengthen the legislation.
Government Pledges to Collaborate on New Wording
According to the Press Association, the government will now work with campaigners and the bereaved to bring forward revised amendments when the bill reaches the House of Lords. A government spokesperson stated: "This legislation will right the wrongs of the past... but we can never compromise on national security. We will continue to work with all parties to make sure the Bill is the strongest it can possibly be."
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stressed on Sunday 18 January that security services would not be "exempt" from the duty. She highlighted the challenge of applying the law "without fear or favour" while allowing agencies to handle confidential information, and cited the Manchester Arena inquiry as an example of where families were failed by withheld information.
The campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the government's decision to listen, posting on X: "We shall engage further with government to ensure the bill fully applies to the security services whilst not jeopardising national security." The bill will return to the Commons for its report stage and third reading as originally scheduled.
