Labour's Hillsborough Law Bill Stuck in Limbo as Families Demand Compromise
The UK government has put its new law aimed at preventing official cover-ups on hold until it can reach a compromise with families of those affected by the Hillsborough disaster and other tragedies. The bill, designed to bring accountability to public authorities, would allow for prosecution of officials who lie or evade.
However, negotiations have hit a roadblock over how the duty of candour in the public authority (accountability) bill should apply to serving intelligence officers. The government has agreed that the law should cover the security services, but wants to give agency chiefs the final say over when individual officers can give evidence - a power the families argue is unacceptable and could lead to future cover-ups.
Families and their representatives met with ministers on Monday but left without agreement. Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was determined to find a solution, emphasizing the need for balance between national security and accountability.
"We care hugely that we get this right, that we right the wrongs for very many families who have been let down," Starmer said. "We're taking time to make sure we get that balance absolutely right."
The government has laid down its own amendments to the bill, which added further obligations on the security services but still did not meet with the demands of the affected families.
A Labour source said there was no option but to delay the bill until a compromise could be reached. The Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne had signed an amendment that was in line with the families' demands, and other local leaders such as the Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram and the Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham expressed concerns about the government's amendments.
The campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the government's withdrawal of its security services amendment, saying it was a step forward. However, the delay is likely to keep the bill out of the Commons for several weeks, with MPs relieved that the issue has been pushed back but also frustrated by the lack of progress.
A government source said there was no deadline for resolving the talks, and agreement would be needed with multiple stakeholders before the bill could move forward.
The UK government has put its new law aimed at preventing official cover-ups on hold until it can reach a compromise with families of those affected by the Hillsborough disaster and other tragedies. The bill, designed to bring accountability to public authorities, would allow for prosecution of officials who lie or evade.
However, negotiations have hit a roadblock over how the duty of candour in the public authority (accountability) bill should apply to serving intelligence officers. The government has agreed that the law should cover the security services, but wants to give agency chiefs the final say over when individual officers can give evidence - a power the families argue is unacceptable and could lead to future cover-ups.
Families and their representatives met with ministers on Monday but left without agreement. Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was determined to find a solution, emphasizing the need for balance between national security and accountability.
"We care hugely that we get this right, that we right the wrongs for very many families who have been let down," Starmer said. "We're taking time to make sure we get that balance absolutely right."
The government has laid down its own amendments to the bill, which added further obligations on the security services but still did not meet with the demands of the affected families.
A Labour source said there was no option but to delay the bill until a compromise could be reached. The Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne had signed an amendment that was in line with the families' demands, and other local leaders such as the Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram and the Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham expressed concerns about the government's amendments.
The campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the government's withdrawal of its security services amendment, saying it was a step forward. However, the delay is likely to keep the bill out of the Commons for several weeks, with MPs relieved that the issue has been pushed back but also frustrated by the lack of progress.
A government source said there was no deadline for resolving the talks, and agreement would be needed with multiple stakeholders before the bill could move forward.
. The families of the Hillsborough victims deserve some real answers and accountability, you know? And it's not just about them - it's about all these other cases where public authorities have messed up big time.
. I think the Labour party's got this one right, trying to find that balance. But I'm also worried they're gonna get stuck in limbo like this again... what if they can't make a compromise? Its not fair to those families who've been waiting for so long.
. Like, priorities, folks! This isn't about politics - its about justice and doing what's right. I hope Labour can get this one done soon...
I'm not surprised to hear this. Families deserve answers and accountability, it's only right after all they've been through. It feels like the gov't is getting caught up in bureaucratic red tape instead of really listening to the people affected by these tragedies 
. I worry about how long this will take, but I hope Labour can keep pushing for a compromise that works for everyone 
! They're just playing around with people's lives here... Families are still waiting for answers and closure after all these years, and now they're stuck in limbo again? 
This is unacceptable. I mean, the government should be working towards transparency and accountability, not trying to protect their own officials from scrutiny.
. Come on, politicians! Get your acts together and sort this out already! 
they deserve justice and accountability no matter what it takes 
the government's trying to find a balance between national security and keeping those who are supposed to be held accountable from speaking out, but let's be real, that's just not gonna cut it 
what they need to do is work with the families and make sure they feel like their voices are being heard 
. What's the hold-up here? Can we have some actual transparency and not just empty promises? 
. i think its high time for them to take a firmer stance and just get it done 
i get that national security has to be considered but not at the expense of holding people accountable 
. Newsflash: it's not gonna fly with the families and reps if they don't make some real concessions 
. The government's being all wishy-washy about what they want to do, and now we're stuck in limbo because of it 
. The whole point of this law is to hold people accountable when they lie or evade the truth, but it seems like the government's trying to water down that accountability by giving agency chiefs too much power 
. It's not about making sure national security comes first, it's about ensuring that those responsible for tragedies like Hillsborough are held to account 
. We need concrete action, not just empty promises or amendments that don't really change the situation 
. I hope they can get this right before it gets too late 
. The families are watching, and we should be too 
. This is a classic case of politics getting in the way of progress 
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