The mayors of Liverpool and Manchester have issued a joint warning that a government amendment to the proposed Hillsborough Law creates a dangerously wide exemption for the security services. They argue it risks gutting the legislation's core purpose of enforcing transparency and candour in public life.
Amendment Sparks Campaigner Outcry
MPs were scheduled to debate the Hillsborough Law this week, but the discussion was postponed until Monday to allow ministers to propose changes. The government tabled amendments on Wednesday that formally bring intelligence agencies under the law's scope.
However, the proposed change stipulates that the duty to disclose information is subject to approval by the head of the relevant service. Campaigners and politicians contend this gives spy chiefs unilateral power to decide what to reveal, potentially allowing them to conceal failures behind national security claims.
In a statement posted on X, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said they would "never support anything which compromises national security." But they insisted the amendment "creates too broad an opt-out and risks undermining the spirit of the legislation."
Calls for Withdrawal and Collaboration
The two northern mayors, whose regions have been scarred by major tragedies, called for the amendment's withdrawal. They urged the government to work with the Hillsborough Law Now campaign and bereaved families to find a solution acceptable to all sides before Monday's debate.
"An important part of strengthening the country’s defences is establishing the truth at the earliest opportunity when things go wrong," their statement read. They believe a correctly drafted law could create a culture of honesty across all public services.
Lawyer Elkan Abrahamson, representing the campaign, criticised the amendment for making security service heads "unchallengeable." He argued it should be for an inquiry chair to decide on the relevance of information, noting existing provisions for private hearings on national security grounds.
Legacy of Past Failures Drives Demand for Candour
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, dubbed the Hillsborough Law, is named for the 1989 stadium disaster that killed 97 Liverpool fans. It aims to impose a legal 'duty of candour' on public officials and authorities during investigations and inquiries.
Campaigners point to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, where MI5 was accused of misleading the public for years. Labour MP Anneliese Midgley raised this case in the Commons. In response, Sir Keir Starmer stated he had "always been clear the duty of candour applies to the intelligence services" and denied the amendments watered down the bill.
Meanwhile, Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne has tabled rival amendments to ensure the duty applies not just to intelligence organisations but also to the individuals who work for them.
The coming parliamentary debate will now be a critical test of whether the landmark legislation will have the teeth campaigners have fought for, or if significant exemptions will be carved out.
