The government has withdrawn a proposed amendment to the Hillsborough law following criticism from campaigners and MPs that it would weaken the legislation. The amendment would have brought spies within the scope of the bill but allowed heads of security services to decide whether to disclose information.
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill aims to impose a legal duty on public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters. The government said it would now work with campaigners and the bereaved to bring forward amendments when the bill reaches the House of Lords.
Campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the decision, stating: 'We welcome the government listening to the campaign, families, MPs and supporters by withdrawing their security services amendment.' The group said it would engage further to ensure the bill fully applies to the security services without jeopardising national security.
The legislation was prompted by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in which 97 Liverpool fans died. After a 27-year campaign, an inquest found they were unlawfully killed due to gross negligence by police, with no blame attached to supporters.
Labour MP Ian Byrne, a survivor of the disaster, said the amendment would have broken promises made to families. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned of 'almost permanent damage to the Labour party' if the amendment was pushed through.
