The government has delayed the progress of the Hillsborough law while ministers seek a compromise, amid concerns from MPs and families about its application to serving intelligence officers. The bill, which enforces a duty of candour on public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters, faced criticism for potentially shielding individual employees of intelligence agencies who misled inquiries.
More than 20 Labour MPs, including Ian Byrne and Anneliese Midgley, backed amendments to place specific duties of candour on intelligence officers. The bill was due to return to the Commons on Wednesday but has been postponed until next week. The government made amendments on Friday to address concerns but is considering further changes after MPs warned of losing victims' support.
Families affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, arguing that MI5 officers should not be exempt. They stated that the inquiry found the attack could have been prevented if MI5 had acted on intelligence, and accused the agency of lying during the inquiry. The families are due to meet Starmer on Wednesday, alongside Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the government would not compromise on national security but would consider further amendments. The spokesperson confirmed that the bill's remaining stages have been moved to next week, adding that new duties on intelligence services not to mislead or evade would still apply. Campaigners insist the duty of candour should apply to individual officers, with full responsibility borne by organisational leaders.
