Ministers have retracted an amendment to the Hillsborough Law concerning the intelligence services following strong opposition from bereaved families and members of Parliament.
The proposed legislation, which aims to prevent future government concealment of information and is named after the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy, faced potential rebellion as it returned for debate in the Commons on Monday. One key aspect of the bill is the introduction of a “duty of candour” requirement, mandating public officials to act truthfully or potentially face legal consequences.
A government amendment sought to include MI5 and MI6 agents under the scope of the law, with approval from their service heads. Critics, including campaigners and families affected by the Hillsborough disaster, argued that this provision would empower security service leadership to determine when to disclose information. Negotiations between stakeholders and the government were ongoing on Sunday.
However, the decision has been made not to proceed with the amendment on Monday, with the government expressing a commitment to collaborate with families to propose amendments during the bill’s progression to the House of Lords.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer, who has engaged with bereaved families on multiple occasions, has assured them of the legislation’s integrity and reaffirmed that it will not be diluted.
Addressing concerns, a government spokesperson emphasized that the proposed law aims to rectify past injustices by ensuring transparency and accountability in dealings between the state and its citizens. While acknowledging the heightened scrutiny the bill would impose on law enforcement agencies and government bodies, the spokesperson underscored the government’s stance on upholding national security imperatives.
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, who was present during the Hillsborough tragedy, voiced his opposition to the amendment over the weekend, welcoming the decision to pause proceedings. He urged the government to either adopt his suggested changes or collaborate to craft new amendments that would honor the memory of the Hillsborough victims.
Additionally, mayors of Liverpool and Manchester called on the Prime Minister to retract the amendment, citing concerns about its potential implications for the legislation’s integrity. The mayors emphasized the importance of finding a solution acceptable to all parties involved and urged collaborative efforts with families and campaigners supporting the Hillsborough Law.
Following the government’s withdrawal of the contentious amendment, Labour MP Justin Madders expressed support for the decision, signaling hope for a constructive resolution moving forward.
Culture Secretary Ms. Nandy clarified that the “duty of candour” requirement would apply to security services as well, emphasizing the importance of preventing situations where information is withheld or misrepresented, as seen in previous inquiries like the Manchester Arena incident. Ms. Nandy expressed confidence in resolving the matter through ongoing discussions to ensure the legislation’s effectiveness without compromising national security.