Hillsborough Law delayed again, but Government says it's committed to progressing the legislation
West Derby MP Ian Byrne's called for more urgency
Progress on Hillsborough law is set to continue after ministers agreed to carry the long-awaited legislation over to the next parliamentary session.
Labour’s Ian Byrne, who was at Hillsborough when 97 Liverpool football fans were killed, welcomed the commitment but urged the Government to “end the delays”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had promised to deliver the draft law, formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, by April 15 last year, to mark the 36th anniversary of the disaster.
However, progress was stalled following concerns over changes which could see the proposed duty of candour disapplied to intelligence agencies.
In the Commons on Thursday, Mr Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, called for urgency and pressed ministers to “deliver the law in full without carve outs”.
Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell had earlier told MPs Hillsborough law would be subject to a carry-over motion on Monday.
If agreed to by the Commons the Bill as it stands will be passed over to the next session.
Labour pledged to introduce a Hillsborough law – to require public officials to tell the truth during inquiries and investigations – in its 2024 manifesto.
The Government faced a row after proposing amendments that would see spies brought within the scope of the law, but only with the approval of the head of their services.
Campaigners warned this could be used as a way of escaping the new duty of candour and the amendments were pulled at the eleventh hour.
At business questions on Thursday, Mr Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, said: “While we welcome the Government’s tabling of the carryover motion for the Hillsborough law, and a lot of people will be relieved today, they were extremely worried about what was happening.
“But this must be matched by urgency.
“Ministers must end the delays and deliver the law in full without carve outs for the intelligence and security services, as promised, to achieve the cultural change the country desperately needs, as we’ve seen this week.
“Can I also ask (Sir Alan) to remind some in Government that negative media briefings against key figures in the campaign risks undermining confidence in the process and should cease?
“And following the Prime Minister’s commitment at PMQs, last week, I ask (Sir Alan) to ensure I am directly informed, included in all meetings and briefings moving forward as the parliamentary lead for the Hillsborough law.”
Sir Alan replied: “I know that he has a personal interest, as someone who was at Hillsborough on that terrible day.
“As he says, we brought forward the carryover motion, and I’m pleased that he welcomes that.
“Briefings against anyone are never welcome, wherever they come from. And I hope that those who might have briefed hear (Mr Byrne’s) words.”