The Government has performed a significant U-turn, withdrawing a contentious amendment to the proposed Hillsborough Law that would have allowed intelligence agencies to potentially avoid a strict duty of candour. The move follows a major backlash from campaigners, bereaved families, and senior political figures.
Amendment Withdrawn Amidst Fierce Criticism
Ministers have completely pulled the legislation from Monday's parliamentary agenda after initially planning to proceed with its report stage and third reading. The controversial amendment, tabled last week, would have brought spies within the scope of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill – the formal name for the Hillsborough Law – but only subject to approval from the head of their service.
Campaigners argued this created a dangerous loophole, allowing security service chiefs to decide unilaterally whether to disclose information after public disasters. This sparked warnings that intelligence heads could "hide serious failures behind a vague claim of national security."
Campaigners and MPs Welcome Government Retreat
The campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the Government's decision to listen, stating they would engage further to ensure the bill fully applies to the security services without jeopardising national security. High-profile political figures had voiced strong opposition over the weekend.
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne said he could not support the legislation with the Government's amendments included, telling the Press Association: "As it stands now, I wouldn't vote on the legislation, because at the moment it’s not the Hillsborough Law because it’s still got security service carve-outs." He has tabled his own amendments to ensure the duty applies to intelligence officers without exceptions.
Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham jointly stated that the Government amendment "risks undermining the spirit of the legislation" and creates "too broad an opt-out" for the security services.
Ministers Seek Path Forward with Families
The Government is now in discussions with campaigners and bereaved families to agree on a way forward for the landmark bill. A Government spokesperson said the legislation aims to "right the wrongs of the past" and ensure the state can never hide from the people. They stressed the need to get the balance right between transparency and national security.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had earlier insisted security services would not be "exempt" from the duty, but acknowledged the challenge of applying the law "without fear or favour" while allowing them to operate. She highlighted the need to avoid situations like the Manchester Arena inquiry, where security services withheld information from families for a long time.
The core aim of the Hillsborough Law remains to force public officials and contractors to tell the truth in the aftermath of major disasters, a principle born from the long fight for justice by the Hillsborough families.
