The UK Government has pulled the Hillsborough Law from Monday's parliamentary agenda at the last minute. Fierce criticism over a planned amendment that would create a loophole for intelligence agencies forced the withdrawal.
The controversy centres on amendments tabled last week. The changes would have extended the duty of candour to intelligence agencies, but only with approval from their service heads. Campaigners argued this would allow security service leaders to control information disclosure, effectively creating an opt-out.
The Prime Minister defended the government's approach at a Downing Street press conference. He said: "I care hugely that we get this right, that we right the wrongs for very many families who have been let down and ensure a better future for families."
He added: "In relation to the duty of candour, we've been clear that that matters. What we're now trying to do is just make sure we get the balance right when it comes to the application of any principle to the security and intelligence agencies."
The Prime Minister emphasized his "primary duty as Prime Minister, which is to keep this country safe and secure". He insisted the government was taking time to get the balance right between accountability and national security.
Government under fire
Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones told the Commons there would be no "an arbitrary deadline" for the Bill's return. She said families had asked the government not to rush: "The families have asked me not to, they want us to get it right, and we're committed to doing that and to getting this policy correct."
Davies-Jones insisted the government had "never, ever" intended to weaken the Bill. She explained the amendments aimed to strengthen it by extending the duty to individual intelligence service employees.
But she acknowledged concerns about the proposed safeguards.
Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham issued a statement on Saturday. They criticized the amendment, saying it "risks undermining the spirit of the legislation" and "creates too broad an opt-out".
Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy used his first Commons speech to attack the government's handling. He said: "Here we are today, after another set of rushed amendments, with yet another delay, another promise to get it right, and absolutely no idea about what they're going to do or even when they're going to do it."
Long road to legislation
The campaign for the Hillsborough Law began in 2016. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill aims to mandate public officials and contractors to disclose truth following disasters.
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne said he could not support the legislation with the government's proposed amendments.
Campaign group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the government's decision to withdraw the security services amendment.
Ministers are now consulting with campaigners and bereaved families to agree on a path forward.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
