The government has withdrawn a controversial amendment to the proposed Hillsborough law following fierce criticism from campaigners and MPs who argued it would weaken the legislation. The amendment, introduced on Wednesday, would have allowed senior security service officials to decide whether to disclose information, effectively granting an opt-out from transparency requirements.
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill is designed to impose a legal duty on public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters. Campaigners said the amendment risked creating a loophole that would let intelligence agencies withhold information, undermining the bill's purpose. The government announced on Monday it would not proceed with the amendment and instead work with bereaved families and campaigners on changes when the bill reaches the House of Lords.
The decision marks another U-turn by the government on a sensitive policy issue. A government spokesperson said the move was intended to ensure the bill is as strong as possible without compromising national security. The campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the withdrawal, stating they would engage with the government to ensure the security services are fully covered by the legislation.
The bill has been driven by families of the 97 victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where a crush during an FA Cup semi-final led to deaths and a subsequent cover-up by South Yorkshire police. An inquest in 2016 found the victims were unlawfully killed due to gross negligence by police, with no blame attached to Liverpool supporters. MPs including Ian Byrne, who survived the disaster, had warned that the amendment would break promises made by the prime minister to the bereaved families.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell described the amended bill as a “car crash” and warned of lasting damage to Labour’s reputation. Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, called the amendment an “ultimate betrayal” of the people of Liverpool. The government now plans to bring forward revised proposals during the bill’s passage through the Lords.
