Legislation to implement the long-awaited Hillsborough Law will resume its journey through parliament this week after an impasse between the government and campaigners over the duty of candour was finally broken.
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, also known as Hillsborough law, was introduced to parliament last year, but stalled in January over disagreement between the government and campaigners on exempting intelligence services from the duty of candour.
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, who is parliamentary lead on the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, told social media followers over the weekend that the government had agreed to deliver a measure ‘without any carve-outs so now the duty of candour will apply right across the board. So all government departments, which is a huge step forward and what we’ve been fighting for these last four months’.
The bill will return to the Commons tomorrow for its report stage and third reason before moving to the House of Lords.
Hillsborough Law Now said: ‘We will keep working with peers, parliamentarians and families to ensure this legislation reaches the statute book and delivers the change that has been promised for so long. All relevant government ministers have also now committed to ensuring the remaining path to enactment will be swift and without further bumps in the road.’
The campaign added: ‘This law is not just about Hillsborough. It is about changing the culture of public authorities, preventing future cover-ups, and ensuring that honesty, accountability and justice become the standard - not the exception. Together, we have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy so that no family ever again has to spend decades fighting for the truth.’
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