Sir Keir Starmer says a duty of candour will apply to all public servants as debate continues over possible exemptions. Campaigners and MPs are pressing for full transparency in the proposed law.
On the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, families and survivors are once again at the forefront of political discussion in Westminster. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his commitment to introducing the Hillsborough Law, stating it would place a duty of candor on all public servants.
According to the Prime Minister, the goal of the proposed legislation is to ensure that the state always acts in the interests of the people it serves. The proposed legislation, formally titled the Public Office Accountability Bill, has faced significant delays since its initial introduction in September. Previous progress was hindered last year after an amendment was withdrawn due to concerns that it could inadvertently impact intelligence agencies. A Downing Street spokesperson indicated that discussions have been ongoing between the government, the affected families, and various security agencies to address these concerns.
While the government has stated the bill will return to Parliament soon, it also noted that it could not commit to bringing it forward before the King’s Speech later this year. The Labour Party has already included a pledge to introduce the legislation in its 2024 manifesto. The law would mandate that public officials be truthful during official inquiries and investigations.
However, some campaigners have raised concerns that earlier iterations of the proposals could have allowed for exemptions for intelligence services, fearing such loopholes might undermine the duty of candor. Ian Byrne, the Labour MP representing West Derby, who has been a vocal supporter of the campaign, emphasized the necessity of the law while speaking in Parliament. Byrne stated that the 97 victims were killed by a corrupt state, adding that he feels a huge obligation to the families and survivors of the disaster.
In response to these concerns, the Prime Minister stated that his government is working closely with the families involved to ensure the legislation is delivered correctly.
