PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto
Prime Minister to Remove Spy Chiefs’ Veto Over Hillsborough Law
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to abolish proposals that would grant intelligence agencies a general immunity under a law aimed at preventing misconduct in public affairs. The Hillsborough Law introduces a “duty of candour,” requiring public bodies to be truthful and collaborate with disaster investigations. This change means security services can no longer block spies from providing evidence, with exemptions now needing a specific court request when national security is at stake.
Hillsborough Tragedy
A total of 97 football fans were fatally injured in a terrace crush during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Sheffield. The incident has been a focal point for demands for transparency in public institutions, with the law designed to address such issues.
Ministers have encountered increasing scrutiny from Labour MPs regarding whether intelligence agencies should be exempt from the law’s requirements compared to other public institutions. Hillsborough families have also criticized the government for the law’s delayed rollout, calling it an “insult.” The law was first pledged by Sir Keir Starmer during his tenure as opposition leader in 2022.
Revised Approach to Exemptions
Earlier this year, the bill’s advancement through Parliament halted due to disputes between the government and advocates over the application of the duty of candour to intelligence operatives. Previously, the plan allowed intelligence service heads to block officers from testifying if there was a risk of exposing national security secrets. Under the revised plan, the security services must now submit a targeted court application to secure partial or full exemption from the law.
“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.”
Government officials emphasized that the revised approach reflects a commitment to aligning the law with the expectations of Hillsborough families, who have long advocated for accountability in public institutions. The new framework aims to balance national security concerns with the need for openness in disaster inquiries.
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