PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto

Prime Minister [Name] has announced the removal of provisions that would have granted security services a comprehensive exemption from the Hillsborough Law. This legislation requires public authorities to uphold a “duty of candour,” ensuring transparency and cooperation during disaster investigations. Under the revised plan, security officials will no longer hold the power to block intelligence agents from testifying, with exemptions now requiring specific court applications for national security reasons.

The law, first proposed by Sir Keir Starmer in 2022 while he was opposition leader, was intended to address past failures in accountability. However, its progress through Parliament paused earlier this year due to disputes over how the duty of candour should apply to spies. The original proposal allowed intelligence chiefs to veto evidence that might risk national security, a measure now being revised.

The Hillsborough Law emerged in response to the 1989 FA Cup semi-final tragedy, where 97 football fans lost their lives in a terraces crush at Sheffield’s Hillsborough stadium during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Families of the victims have criticized the delayed implementation of the law, calling it an “insult” to their long-standing campaign for justice. Labour backbenchers also raised concerns about whether security services should be treated differently from other public bodies under the new framework.

A government spokesperson emphasized the law’s importance, stating:

“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.”

The revisions aim to align the security services with the broader obligation of candour, preventing blanket exemptions that could hinder accountability.

According to The Times, the updated plan means security chiefs will no longer be able to unilaterally block evidence disclosure. Instead, they must seek court approval for partial or full exemptions, reflecting a more nuanced approach to balancing transparency and national security. This shift marks a significant departure from earlier proposals, which granted intelligence services greater leeway in withholding information.

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