In a major breakthrough, Keir Starmer will extend the new “duty of candour” created by the legislation to ensure MI5, MI6 and GCHQ do not lie or withhold information
Keir Starmer is expected to scrap plans to allow security services like MI5 to be exempt from the Hillsborough law.
In a major breakthrough, the PM will reportedly extend the new “duty of candour” created by the legislation to ensure MI5, MI6 and GCHQ are included. The duty forces public authorities to tell the truth and co-operate with inquiries to prevent state cover-ups.
The “Hillsborough Law” was pulled from the Commons in January after a major row over an amendment relating to how it applies to the security services.
A government amendment sought to bring spies from MI5 and MI6 within the scope of the legislation – but subject to the approval of the head of their service. The security chiefs wanted to block spies from giving evidence to public inquiries if there are national security concerns.
But the proposals caused a huge backlash among MPs, campaigners and bereaved families. In January, families bereaved by the Manchester Arena terror attack demanded MI5 must be fully included in the new “Hillsborough Law”. They warned that MI5 failed their loves ones by preventing the 2017 bombing, but also “then failed and hurt us further through its lack of candour after the attack”.
READ MORE: Hillsborough campaigner tells Keir Starmer to honour promise and get law sorted ‘ASAP’
Under new plans, reported by The Times, the ability for security chiefs to block individual spies from giving evidence will be removed. The courts will instead make the decision. Security bosses will have to make a court application requesting a partial or full exemption from releasing sensitive information.
The breakthrough comes after Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall – who introduced the PM ahead of his speech at Labour conference – demanded Mr Starmer honour his promise and pass a law to prevent future state cover-ups “ASAP”.
In an interview with this newspaper earlier this month, Ms Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James was among the 97 people killed in the 1989 tragedy, said she was frustrated by delays to the Hillsborough Law. In a message to Mr Starmer, she told The Mirror: “Get it sorted. Do it, ASAP. You promised when you first came into power that you would fulfil a Hillsborough Law in all its entirety.
“Now do what you promised. You’ve not only promised it to me, you’ve promised it to the people of this country. Do the right thing Mr Starmer please, and do it ASAP.”
The law comes after a decades-long fight by the families of the 97 Liverpool fans who died in a fatal crush at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield. Grieving relatives spent years battling for justice for their loved ones after police falsely blamed Liverpool supporters for the disaster.
Officially called the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, the legislation will create a legal duty of candour for all public officials, such as police officers, with criminal penalties for lying or withholding information. A new offence for misleading the public will be created – with criminal sanctions for the most serious breaches.
Wednesday marks the 37th anniversary of the disaster at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield.
The campaign is is backed by victims of other injustices including the Grenfell Tower fire and the infected blood scandal.
The government said: “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.”