The Labour government has been forced to delay the landmark Hillsborough law after crucial negotiations with bereaved families broke down last week.
Talks Stall Over Security Services Role
Keir Starmer's administration will not bring the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, commonly known as the Hillsborough law, back to the House of Commons for debate until an agreement can be reached with the families of those affected by the Hillsborough disaster and the Manchester Arena attack.
The central point of contention is how the proposed statutory duty of candour would apply to serving officers in the security and intelligence agencies. The law is designed to prevent official cover-ups by making it a criminal offence for public officials to lie or withhold information.
While the government agrees the law should cover the security services, it wants to grant agency chiefs the final authority over when individual officers can give evidence. Campaigning families argue this power is unacceptable and could pave the way for future cover-ups, undermining the very purpose of the legislation.
Government Amendments Fail to Secure Agreement
Last Friday, ministers laid down their own amendments to the bill, which imposed further obligations on the security services. However, these changes were still deemed insufficient by the families and their representatives.
A meeting on Monday between the families, their barrister Peter Weatherby KC – the architect of the law – and justice ministers Alex Davies-Jones and Nick Thomas-Symonds ended without a breakthrough. A Labour source stated there was now no option but to delay the bill until a compromise could be found that satisfied the families without compromising national security.
Speaking earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his determination to resolve the impasse. "I care hugely that we get this right, that we right the wrongs for very many families who have been let down and ensure a better future for families," he said.
He emphasised the need to balance the principle of candour with his primary duty to protect national security, stating, "That is the duty I hold above all other duties, and I take it really seriously, which is why we’re just taking time to make sure that we get that balance absolutely right."
Political Reaction and Next Steps
The decision to pull the bill from Commons business was met with relief by some MPs, though it may now be weeks before it returns. Around 20 Labour MPs had backed an amendment tabled by Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, which aligned with the families' demands.
Byrne stated he could not support the legislation with the government's current amendments. His stance was echoed by regional mayors, with Liverpool City Region's Steve Rotheram and Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham warning that the government's proposal "risks undermining the spirit of the legislation" and creates too broad an opt-out for the security services.
The campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the government's move to withdraw its amendment and continue talks. A government source confirmed they are "not putting a deadline" on the negotiations, which must also involve the intelligence agencies, the Home Office, the Foreign Office, and the Intelligence and Security Committee. Keir Starmer is expected to be personally involved in the later stages of these critical discussions.
