Hillsborough Law campaigners say they cannot back proposed bill
Summary
Campaigners associated with the Hillsborough Law are unhappy with the proposed changes to a new bill meant to prevent cover-ups by government agencies. They met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer but felt their concerns, especially about the accountability of security agencies like MI5, were not properly addressed. The law aims to hold public bodies accountable but includes clauses allowing intelligence chiefs to control what information they share.Key Facts
- The Hillsborough Law campaigners want the new bill to hold employees of MI5, MI6, and GCHQ fully accountable.
- A public inquiry found MI5 did not provide a full picture of intelligence related to the Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people.
- Campaigners argue the proposed bill might allow intelligence leaders to hide failures under the guise of national security.
- Government changes to the bill require security service personnel to have a "duty of candour," meaning they must be open and honest.
- However, intelligence chiefs would have the authority to decide what information is shared in inquiries.
- Families of the Manchester Arena victims feel the changes to the bill do not meet their expectations for full accountability.
- The bill is also a result of advocacy related to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 people died.
- Prime Minister Starmer claims the bill's amendments will enhance accountability without compromising national security.
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