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Labour has decided not to reintroduce the Hillsborough law for debate in the Commons until it can reach a consensus with the affected families, according to the Guardian. This decision followed a breakdown in discussions last week involving families affected by the Hillsborough disaster and the Manchester Arena attack. A key sticking point in these talks concerns how the duty of candour outlined in the public authority accountability bill would apply specifically to active intelligence officers.
The proposed legislation aims to prevent official cover-ups by making public officials who lie or attempt to evade accountability subject to prosecution. While the government agrees that the security services should fall within the scope of the law, it insists that agency leaders should have the final authority to decide when individual officers can provide testimony. Families affected by these tragedies oppose this arrangement, fearing it could lead to future obfuscations. Last Friday, the government introduced its own amendments to the bill, imposing additional responsibilities on the security agencies, yet these changes fell short of securing the families’ approval.
Following these developments, a Labour spokesperson acknowledged that the bill’s progression must be delayed until an agreement can be forged that satisfies the families without compromising national security. On Monday, families, alongside barrister Peter Wetherby—the law’s architect—met with ministers Alex Davies-Jones and Nick Thomas-Symonds at the Ministry of Justice, but talks ended without resolution. Speaking at a press conference earlier that day, Keir Starmer expressed his commitment to finding a workable solution. “I care hugely that we get this right, that we right the wrongs for very many families who have been let down and ensure a better future for families,” he emphasized.
Starmer also highlighted the importance of achieving the right balance regarding the duty of candour and its application to intelligence agencies. He said, “I have to focus on the national interest—my primary duty as prime minister, which is to keep this country safe and secure… which is why we’re just taking time to make sure that we get that balance absolutely right.” Meanwhile, some MPs welcomed the government’s decision to delay the bill’s return to Commons business, though it is expected that the legislation may not be debated again for several weeks. Around 20 Labour MPs, including Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, had supported an amendment aligning with the families’ demands but Byrne stated he could not back the bill with the government’s current amendments included. Additionally, local leaders like Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham criticized the government’s changes as potentially weakening the legislation by allowing overly broad exemptions for security services.
A government insider noted that there is no fixed deadline for the negotiations and that any agreement will need to reconcile the views of the families, intelligence agencies, the Home and Foreign Offices, and the intelligence and security committee. It is also reported that Starmer himself is likely to become personally involved as talks advance. Campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the government’s withdrawal of its security services amendment, acknowledging that it reflects heeding the concerns of the campaigners, families, MPs, and supporters alike
Read the full article from The Guardian here: Read More
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