The Labour government has reversed its decision to exempt spies from the proposed Hillsborough Law, following significant backlash from campaigners and dissent within its ranks. The amendment, which would have limited the law’s applicability to security service personnel unless approved by their service chief, has been withdrawn. This decision comes amidst growing concerns that such a provision could allow intelligence agencies to evade legal obligations to cooperate with public inquiries.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized during a BBC interview that the security services will not be exempt from the law, asserting the importance of transparency in investigations. “I just want to be really clear, the security services won’t be exempt,” she stated, highlighting the need to prevent a repeat of the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry, where crucial information was withheld from families and the public.
The proposed amendment had been met with opposition from various quarters, including approximately 30 MPs who supported a motion led by Liverpool MP Ian Byrne. Byrne argued that the law should apply comprehensively to all security service personnel, ensuring accountability and transparency in inquiries.
The reversal also reflects the government’s concern about potential rebellion among its MPs. Reports indicate that Sir Ken McCallum, head of MI5, engaged in discussions with some parliamentarians to address these issues. The Labour Party now aims to reinforce public trust in its commitment to uphold the principles of the Hillsborough Law, which seeks to ensure that public bodies cooperate fully with inquiries into disasters and other significant incidents.
Labour’s decision marks a pivotal moment in its legislative agenda, as the party seeks to balance national security concerns with the imperative for accountability. The Hillsborough Law, named after the 1989 disaster that claimed 96 lives at a football match, aims to prevent the kind of obfuscation that has historically frustrated families seeking justice.
As the government moves forward with the law, it faces the challenge of maintaining the confidence of both the public and its own members. The commitment to exclude exemptions for security services may be a crucial step in restoring faith in the Labour Party’s governance and its dedication to transparency.
