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Ministers have pulled a Hillsborough Law amendment on the intelligence services amid a major backlash from bereaved families and MPs.
The landmark bill – designed to prevent future state cover-ups and named after the 1989 tragedy – will be debated again in the Commons on Monday.
A government amendment brings spies from MI5 and MI6 within the scope of the legislation – subject to the approval of the head of their service.
But campaigners and bereaved families have argued this would allow those running the security services to decide whether to disclose information.
Some were locked in talks with the government on Sunday. It is understood the amendment will now not be moved on Monday with the government aiming to work with families to bring forward amendments when it reaches the Lords.
Keir Starmer has repeatedly met with the bereaved families and was introduced at Labour’s conference last year by Margaret Aspinall, whose son James was killed in the Hillsborough disaster.
A government spokesperson said: “This legislation will right the wrongs of the past, changing the balance of power to ensure the state can never hide from the people it should serve and putting a legal duty on officials to respond openly and honestly when things go wrong.
“The bill will make the police, intelligence agencies and the whole of government more scrutinised than they have ever been, but we can never compromise on national security.
“We will continue to work with all parties to make sure the Bill is the strongest it can possibly be, without compromising national security.”
Over the weekend the mayors of Liverpool and Manchester called on the PM to withdraw an amendment to the Hillsborough Law that “creates too broad an opt-out” for spies.
Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said on Saturday that the amendment “risks undermining the spirit of the legislation”.
They added: “It is in that spirit that we call on them to withdraw their amendment ahead of Monday’s debate and work with the families and the Hillsborough Law Now campaign to find a solution acceptable to all sides.”
Labour MP Justin Madders responded to the Mayor’s post, saying: “100% agree”.
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