PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto

PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto

Government revises plans to exempt intelligence services from transparency requirements

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced the removal of provisions allowing security agencies to bypass the Hillsborough Law. The measure, initially proposed to grant intelligence chiefs a blanket exemption, will now require specific court applications for partial or full disclosure waivers. This shift follows mounting criticism from both opposition members and families of the 97 victims of the 1989 FA Cup semi-final tragedy.

The Hillsborough Law mandates a “duty of candour,” compelling public bodies to prioritize truthfulness during investigations. According to The Times, this change ensures that spies cannot unilaterally block evidence sharing, with exemptions tied to national security concerns. The law was first introduced by Sir Keir Starmer during his time as opposition leader in 2022, but its passage through Parliament stalled due to disputes over its application to intelligence services.

Labour backbenchers had urged the government to apply the law equally to all public entities, including the security services. Hillsborough families, meanwhile, condemned the delay in its implementation, calling it a “shameful insult.” The previous draft gave intelligence chiefs the power to veto testimony that might compromise national security, but the revised plan replaces that with a more restrictive process.

“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.”

Officials emphasized the law’s role in holding institutions accountable for past failures. The 1989 disaster, which occurred during a Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest match in Sheffield, remains a defining moment in public inquiry reform. For more updates, tune into BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds or follow them on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Share story ideas via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2230.