Summary
The Prime Minister plans to remove a security service exemption from the Hillsborough Law, which aims to ensure public authorities truthfully cooperate during disaster investigations. The law requires public bodies to have a "duty of candour", meaning they must be open and truthful. Security services will now need to apply to a court for any exemptions instead of having a blanket exemption.
Key Facts
- The Hillsborough Law aims to prevent cover-ups by requiring public bodies to be truthful in disaster inquiries.
- The Prime Minister will cancel plans for security services to have a blanket exemption from this law.
- Security services will need to apply to a court if they want certain evidence to remain confidential for national security reasons.
- The law was prompted by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 football fans died.
- Ministers have faced pressure from lawmakers and victims' families about the exemption for security services.
- Families affected by the Hillsborough disaster criticized the government for delays in the law's introduction.
- The government is working with Hillsborough families to ensure the law is effective.
- The Hillsborough Law was initially promised in 2022 by Sir Keir Starmer.
