Keir Starmer Reverses Hillsborough Law Stance After Backlash

Keir Starmer has backed down over plans to change the Hillsborough Law following a backlash by MPs and campaigners.

The government had been due to move an amendment to the legislation on Monday which critics said would have watered it down to protect members of the intelligence services.

The aim of the new law, which was promised in Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, is to end cover-ups by public bodies in the wake of major disasters such as the Hillsborough disaster and the Manchester Arena bombing.

Labour whips were bracing themselves for a major backbench rebellion if the vote had gone ahead.

But ministers announced on Sunday night that it was no longer moving the amendment and was seeking further talks with MPs and victims’s families.

A government spokesperson said: “This legislation will right the wrongs of the past, changing the balance of power to ensure the state can never hide from the people it should serve and putting a legal duty on officials to respond openly and honestly when things go wrong.

“The bill will make the police, intelligence agencies and the whole of government more scrutinised than they have ever been, but we can never compromise on national security.

“We will continue to work with all parties to make sure the Bill is the strongest it can possibly be, without compromising national security.”

Under the law, a “duty of candour” would be introduced making it illegal for those in positions of authority to withhold information from investigations.

The government amendment would have allowed the heads of the security services to decide whether or not to disclose information involving their operations.

Ministers insisted the change was necessary to protect national security.

But speaking on Sunday, Labour MP Ian Byrne – who was at Hillsborough on the day of the tragedy in 1989 – told the BBC he was prepared to vote against the government amendment.

Reacting to the government’s decision to pull its amendment, Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, told HuffPost UK: “I’m delighted to see this pause.

“Now I urge the government to either adopt my amendment or work with us to draft a new amendment which makes the legislation worthy of the name Hillsborough and a legacy to the 97 [Liverpool fans who died].”