PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto
PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto
The prime minister is set to abandon a proposal that would have allowed security agencies to bypass a key law aimed at preventing misinformation in public affairs. This law, known as the Hillsborough Law, mandates that public bodies uphold a “duty of candour” during investigations, ensuring openness and cooperation with inquiries. Initially reported by The Times, the revised plan means intelligence leaders can no longer unilaterally block spies from testifying. Instead, they must seek court approval to exempt certain disclosures from the law when national security is at stake.
In 1989, a tragic terrace collapse during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Sheffield led to 97 football fans losing their lives. The incident sparked decades of advocacy for accountability, culminating in the introduction of the Hillsborough Law. However, the legislation faced delays and disputes, with Labour backbenchers questioning whether the security services should be granted special treatment. Families of the victims have also voiced frustration, calling the delayed rollout an “insult” and demanding greater transparency.
Sir Keir Starmer first pledged the law as opposition leader in 2022, but its passage through Parliament slowed earlier this year due to disagreements over how the new candour requirement would apply to spies. Initially, intelligence chiefs could veto evidence that might compromise national security. Now, under the government’s updated approach, such exemptions require a specific court application. The government emphasized its collaboration with Hillsborough families to “get this bill right,” stating that the law will reshape how public officials conduct themselves during inquiries, prioritizing honesty and transparency in service to the public.
“We are working with the families, who have campaigned for decades, to get this bill right. The bill will fundamentally change how public authorities and officials behave during inquiries and investigations, ensuring honesty and transparency, so the state must always act for the people it serves.”
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