The government has paused the progression of the long-awaited Hillsborough Law, prompting urgent warnings from Liverpool MPs that the crucial legislation risks being 'kicked into the long grass'.
Delay Over Security Services Loophole
Planned parliamentary proceedings for the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, commonly known as the Hillsborough Law, were entirely withdrawn from Monday's agenda. The move came after fears emerged that a government amendment could create a loophole for intelligence agencies, allowing them to bypass the proposed legal duty of candour.
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones insisted there is 'absolutely no carve-out here', stating the duty would apply to all public authorities, including the security services. However, the pause was enacted to address these concerns directly.
Liverpool MPs Voice 'Direction of Travel' Concerns
Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, Paula Barker, expressed deep unease. 'Whilst I am pleased that the government has paused proceeding on the Hillsborough Law, I am increasingly concerned at the direction of travel,' she stated in the Commons.
Barker emphasised that the families of the 97 victims and Merseyside MPs would accept nothing less than a full Hillsborough Law. She warned that a carve-out for intelligence services could enable a repeat of behaviour exposed by the Manchester Arena inquiry, where MI5 withheld information and avoided accountability.
Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, welcomed the pause but demanded a clear timeline, voicing the widespread fear that the bill could now be sidelined indefinitely. 'There’s a real, real concern now that this could be kicked into the long grass,' he said.
Government Pledges to 'Get It Right' With Families
In response, Minister Davies-Jones gave assurances that the government remains committed. 'We are not kicking this into the long grass. We are committed to doing this as soon as possible, but we have to get it right,' she told MPs.
She reiterated Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pledge to 'get the balance right' and confirmed ongoing work with bereaved families and the Intelligence and Security Committee. The Prime Minister had earlier stated the bill, as introduced, was agreed with the Hillsborough Law Now campaign and would not be watered down.
The call for unwavering commitment was echoed by Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley, who stated that any amendment failing to satisfy families on the duty of candour for security services was a 'red line'.
