Ministers have decided to withdraw a proposed amendment to the Hillsborough Law that would have involved the intelligence services, following strong opposition from families affected by the 1989 tragedy and Members of Parliament.
The bill, which aims to prevent future cover-ups by the state and is named after the Hillsborough disaster, was under debate in the Commons. It includes a provision for a “duty of candour,” requiring public officials to act honestly or potentially face criminal penalties.
Initially, the government sought to extend the law to include MI5 and MI6 agents, but with the condition that their disclosures would be subject to approval from their superiors. Critics, including campaigners and bereaved families, argued that this setup would allow the security services’ leadership to control the release of information. Discussions between the parties were ongoing as of Sunday.
It has been confirmed that the proposed amendment will not be presented on Monday, with the government planning to collaborate with families to introduce changes when the bill progresses to the House of Lords.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer has been actively engaged with the affected families and has pledged to uphold the integrity of the legislation. The government spokesperson emphasized that the bill aims to rectify past injustices, ensuring transparency and accountability from officials in the face of failures.
Local MP Ian Byrne, who was present at the Hillsborough disaster, expressed his satisfaction with the decision to pause the amendment. He urged the government to work on enhancing the legislation to honor the memory of the victims.
Over the weekend, the mayors of Liverpool and Manchester urged the Prime Minister to reconsider an amendment that they believed could weaken the legislation. They called for a collaborative effort with families and campaigners to find a mutually acceptable solution.
In response to the withdrawal of the amendment, Labour MP Justin Madders welcomed the development, indicating ongoing dialogue with the affected families.
Culture Secretary Ms. Nandy assured the public that the security services would not be exempt from the transparency requirements outlined in the bill. She stressed the need to avoid situations where critical information is withheld, citing the Manchester Arena inquiry as an example.
In conclusion, the government’s decision to retract the controversial amendment reflects ongoing efforts to address concerns raised by stakeholders and ensure the legislation meets the expectations of all parties involved.