Amendments to the long-awaited Hillsborough Law will be put before MPs this week after a breakthrough in negotiations over the duty of candour for intelligence services. The Mirror has confirmed that the Public Office (Accountability) Bill will return to Parliament following behind-the-scenes talks to resolve a dispute about whether security services should be exempt.
Details of the Breakthrough
Under the new amendments, individuals who currently or formerly work for intelligence agencies can be given 'compliance directions'. This process allows information to be shared securely within a national security context, addressing concerns about compromising national security. The head of each intelligence body will be responsible for passing on information to inquiries or investigations, subject to existing legal protections for sensitive information.
Political Context
The breakthrough came in the final days of Keir Starmer's tenure as Prime Minister. Labour had promised to introduce the Hillsborough Law in its 2024 election manifesto, but the legislation has been stalled since September last year due to legal disputes. A government source described the development as "an overwhelming victory after months of hard work to find a solution that ensures we have a duty of candour that applies to the intelligence services without compromising national security."
Campaign Response
The Hillsborough Law campaign group welcomed the news, stating: "The Government has now conceded that there will be no carve-outs, no exemptions for security services or anyone else, breaking the impasse that has persisted since January. This is an important milestone, not just for Hillsborough families, but for every family who has experienced a cover-up and lack of accountability from public authorities. We are a big step closer to ensuring that no family has to again fight for the truth for decades."
