The Government has abandoned a final debate on an amendment to proposed Hillsborough law after concerns from campaigners and MPs the legislation was being watered down over a loophole that would let the security services decide what evidence is disclosed after disasters
Over the weekend the Mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool have called for measures accused of giving security services an “opt-out” from powers to be dropped.
In a joint statement Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram said that as it stands, they believe the government’s amendment in relation to the security services creates too broad an opt-out and risks undermining the spirit of the legislation.
The bill is designed to impose a legal duty on public officials to act truthfully and support investigations into the state to ensure wrongdoing is not concealed.
However there is controversy over how the legislation will be applied to the intelligence services with the inquiry into the Manchester Arena terror attack finding that there were serious errors in MI5’s intelligence in the lead up to the attack
Survivors of the attack say that a government amendment before the Commons could allow security officials to ‘hide serious failures behind a vague claim of national security’.
“We appreciate that the government has made huge strides in working to deliver the Hillsborough Law and are grateful for their willingness to work with campaigners thus far to make it the strongest law possible.” said the two Mayors adding
It is in that spirit that we call on them to withdraw their amendment ahead of Monday’s debate and work with the families and the Hillsborough Law Now campaign to find a solution acceptable to all sides.
A Government spokesperson said: “The bill will make the police, intelligence agencies and the whole of government more scrutinised than they have ever been. We must get this right to keep the country safe. We will welcome continued support from victims and their families to make sure the Bill is the strongest it can possibly be, while never compromising national security”
