PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto

PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto

The prime minister is set to revoke a proposal that would have granted security agencies a general shield against a law aimed at stopping misconduct in public institutions. This law, named after the Hillsborough disaster, mandates a “duty of candour” requiring public bodies to be truthful and support investigations into major incidents.

According to The Times, the intelligence service leaders will no longer possess the power to prevent officers from testifying, and must now seek court approval to secure partial or full exemption from the law when national security is at stake.

“We are working with the families, who have campaigned for decades, to get this bill right,” said a government spokesperson. “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 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Sheffield claimed the lives of 97 football supporters due to a crush on the stadium’s terrace. Families affected by the tragedy have criticized the delayed passage of the law, calling it an “insult.”

Initially proposed by Sir Keir Starmer during his time as opposition leader in 2022, the legislation’s progress stalled earlier this year due to disputes between the government and advocates over how the duty of candour would apply to spies. The original plan allowed intelligence chiefs to block evidence if it threatened national security. The revised approach now demands specific court applications for exemptions.

Labour backbenchers have pushed for the security services to be treated differently from other public entities under the new framework, adding to the pressure on ministers to adjust the bill’s provisions.

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