Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his commitment to implementing a comprehensive Hillsborough Law, ensuring a "duty of candour applies to all public servants”, amid ongoing concerns about potential exemptions for intelligence agencies.
The Labour leader’s pledge comes on the 37th anniversary of the disaster that claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool football fans.
The proposed legislation, formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, aims to compel public officials to be truthful during inquiries and investigations.
However, its progress has stalled since its introduction last September, primarily due to a contentious debate over whether security services should be bound by the same duty of candour.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir faced a direct challenge from one of his own backbenchers, Ian Byrne, the Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, who was present at Hillsborough during the tragedy.
Mr Byrne, who asserts the 97 victims were "killed at the hands of a corrupt state”, pressed Sir Keir on whether he would rule out any "carve out" for security services.
Addressing Sir Keir, Mr Byrne stated: "As parliamentary lead to the Hillsborough Law, I stand here with a huge sense of obligation to the 97, all the families, including my constituent, Debbie Matthews, every survivor and every victim of a state cover-up who were all part of this collective campaign.
“There are signs of progress after last night’s Government concessions, but we’ve heard this before. Prime Minister, this is your responsibility; it is within your power to take control of this process and make good on your promise to deliver this legislation.
“So will you commit today to ruling out any carve out for security services and finally delivering a full Hillsborough law worthy of the name, or will they be failed by the state once again?"
Sir Keir responded by reiterating his dedication to the cause.
"I am personally committed to working with the families to get this Bill right,” he said. “It is integral that their views are heard. We’re discussing this precise issue with the families.
“I reaffirm my commitment to delivering the legislation to ensuring the duty of candour applies to all public servants."
He added that the law would "end the injustice that they have suffered and ensure the state will always act for the people that it serves."
The Bill previously faced a setback when an amendment was withdrawn at the eleventh hour last year.
This amendment, which would have brought spies within the law's scope only with the approval of their service heads, sparked fears among campaigners that it could be exploited to evade the duty of candour. It is now anticipated that security chiefs will be required to seek a court application for any disclosures to be exempted.
Despite Labour having pledged the Hillsborough Law in its 2024 manifesto, Downing Street has indicated the legislation will return to Parliament "soon" but has not committed to bringing it back before the King’s Speech in May.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: "Significant progress has been made over recent weeks, working both with the families and the intelligence agencies and we expect to bring the Bill back to Parliament soon."
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