A significant law known as the Hillsborough Law, aimed at preventing future cover-ups by the state, has faced a delay due to concerns over the exclusion of intelligence agencies.
Families affected by tragic events like the Manchester Arena bombing and the Hillsborough disaster are set to meet with Keir Starmer after the legislation’s remaining stages were postponed until next Monday. Advocates have urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the law, which seeks to make it a criminal offense for public officials to lie, encompasses all public services, including MI5, MI6, and GCHQ.
The law is a result of years of campaigning by families seeking justice for the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough stadium crush in 1989. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill will establish a legal obligation for transparency among public officials, like police officers, with penalties for dishonesty or withholding information. Additionally, a new offense for misleading the public will be introduced, with severe consequences for the most egregious violations.
Although the legislation was initially scheduled for further debate in the Commons, Downing Street has confirmed a delay, citing concerns that individual intelligence agency employees were not covered by the Bill.
Caroline Curry, who lost her son in the Manchester Arena attack, emphasized the importance of including all services in the law to ensure accountability at every level. Victims’ groups stressed the need for the law to address failures and prevent powerful entities from escaping responsibility under the guise of national security.
A spokesperson for Hillsborough Law Now, supported by victims of various injustices, expressed hope that the delay would lead to necessary improvements in the legislation. They emphasized the families’ long wait for truth and the importance of holding powerful institutions accountable.
The Prime Minister’s office assured that the law will instill a legal duty for officials, including those in intelligence services, to be transparent and truthful in the event of errors. Amendments have been proposed to address concerns about the law’s scope, with a commitment to uphold national security while strengthening accountability measures. The final stages of the Bill have been rescheduled for the following week to ensure thorough consideration and appropriate safeguards.
