Ministers have withdrawn a proposed amendment to the Hillsborough Law that would have impacted the intelligence services following strong opposition from families of the victims and Members of Parliament. The bill, named after the 1989 tragedy, is set for debate in the Commons, with a focus on establishing a “duty of candour” for public officials to act honestly, backed by potential criminal consequences.
The amendment in question aimed to include MI5 and MI6 within the legislation’s scope, pending approval from their service heads. Critics, including campaigners and bereaved families, raised concerns that this provision could allow security service leaders to control the disclosure of information. Discussions between stakeholders and the government were ongoing over the weekend.
As of now, the amendment will not be presented in the Commons, with the government planning to collaborate with families to propose amendments in the House of Lords.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer, who has met with families affected by the Hillsborough disaster, has pledged to uphold the integrity of the bill. The government spokesperson emphasized that the legislation aims to address past injustices, ensuring transparency and accountability from public officials while maintaining national security.
The weekend saw Liverpool and Manchester mayors urging the Prime Minister to reconsider an amendment that they believe could undermine the legislation’s essence. In response, Labour MP Justin Madders expressed support for their stance.
Following the government’s decision to withdraw the controversial amendment, there is hope for constructive dialogue to resolve the remaining concerns. Culture Secretary Ms Nandy confirmed that the security services will be held accountable under the “duty of candour” principle, emphasizing the importance of preventing past instances where information was withheld from inquiries.
The ongoing discussions aim to find a balanced solution that upholds both transparency and national security interests.