The government has been forced into a significant climbdown, withdrawing a proposed amendment to the so-called Hillsborough Law that would have granted a potential opt-out to the security and intelligence services. The retreat came in the face of a substantial Labour Party revolt and fierce criticism from prominent regional mayors.
Amendment Withdrawn Under Pressure
The contentious amendment to the Public Office (Accountability) Bill would have included spies within the scope of the new legislation, but crucially, only subject to approval from the head of their respective service. This was widely interpreted as creating a 'broad opt-out' clause that could undermine the law's core principle.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had been facing the prospect of a large-scale rebellion from his own MPs, with a vote scheduled in the House of Commons. The Labour mayors of Liverpool and Manchester, Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham, were among the leading voices condemning the change. They argued on Saturday that the amendment 'risks undermining the spirit of the legislation' entirely.
Duty of Candour at the Heart of the Bill
The central aim of the Hillsborough Law is to impose a statutory 'duty of candour' on public servants and officials. This legal obligation is designed to force transparency and prevent the kind of institutional cover-ups that plagued the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives.
Campaigners and some MPs had warned that the government's proposed tweak could allow intelligence chiefs to 'hide serious failures behind a vague claim of national security'. The government spokeswoman insisted the Bill would "make the police, intelligence agencies and the whole of government more scrutinised than they have ever been," but stressed that national security could never be compromised.
Ministers Seek a New Solution
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, speaking on broadcast rounds, acknowledged the delicate balance. She stated the 'challenge is to make sure that this applies to the security services without fear or favour' while allowing them to continue their vital work. She explicitly told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "I just want to be really clear, the security services won't be exempt."
Ms Nandy referenced the Manchester Arena inquiry as a situation to avoid, where security services were able to withhold information, presenting an inaccurate picture to bereaved families for a prolonged period.
With the amendment now expected to be dropped from the Commons debate, government work is ongoing to find an alternative formulation that can be added to the Bill at a later stage. Labour Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said the legislation was '95% there' but emphasised that without the trust of the families who have campaigned for decades, it would be very difficult to proceed. She advocated for a duty of candour that could be exercised in private with a judge if necessary.
The Bill's progress was delayed to allow for these government changes, with the debate now set for tomorrow. The outcome remains a pivotal moment for campaigners seeking lasting accountability from the state.
