Ministers have decided to withdraw a proposed amendment to the Hillsborough Law that would have impacted the intelligence services following significant opposition from grieving families and Members of Parliament.
The bill, named after the tragic events of 1989, aims to prevent future government cover-ups by introducing a legal requirement for public officials to be transparent or face potential legal repercussions. An amendment put forward by the government sought to include MI5 and MI6 operatives under the legislation but with final approval from their superiors. Critics argued that this provision could allow those in charge of the security services to control the disclosure of information.
Following discussions with campaigners and bereaved families, the government has confirmed that the amendment will not be presented for debate on Monday. Instead, they plan to collaborate with families to introduce revised amendments when the bill progresses to the House of Lords.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has met with families affected by the Hillsborough disaster, has reassured them that the legislation will not be weakened. The government spokesperson emphasized that the bill aims to rectify past injustices, ensuring accountability and transparency in dealings with the public.
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, who was present at the Hillsborough tragedy, expressed his satisfaction with the decision to pause the amendment. He urged the government to either adopt his proposed changes or work together to develop a new amendment that upholds the spirit of the Hillsborough Law and honors the memory of the victims.
Over the weekend, the mayors of Liverpool and Manchester called on the Prime Minister to withdraw a controversial amendment that they believe undermines the essence of the legislation. They urged the government to collaborate with families and campaigners to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Culture Secretary Ms. Nandy affirmed that the security services will not be exempt from the transparency obligations outlined in the bill. She highlighted the importance of preventing situations where vital information is withheld, referencing past inquiries such as the Manchester Arena incident.
The government’s decision to withdraw the contentious amendment has been welcomed by MPs and campaigners, signaling a willingness to engage with stakeholders to address concerns and ensure the legislation’s integrity.