Just days after Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy gave a glimmer of hope that the Hillsborough Law was on the cusp of being passed, sources close to the discussions have revealed that the legislation's passage has hit an unexpected hurdle. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, which aims to enshrine a legal duty for public officials to be truthful and cooperative during inquiries and investigations, is now unlikely to return to the House of Commons before Parliament rises on 16th July.
The delay is largely due to opposition from campaigners who are concerned that provisions allowing intelligence services to opt out of complying with the "duty of candour" could undermine the core purpose of the legislation. Families of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster, who have been fighting for justice for over three decades, have expressed significant concerns about the government amendment granting heads of intelligence agencies the right to withhold evidence on national security grounds.
The proposed law stems directly from the aftermath of the tragedy at Hillsborough stadium in April 1989, where police were found to have spread false narratives blaming Liverpool fans and withheld evidence of their own failings. Fresh inquests in 2016 concluded that the fans were unlawfully killed, and police actions had caused or contributed to their deaths.
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper pressed Mr Lammy for an assurance that the bill would be reintroduced next week during a session in the Commons, but it now appears this may not happen. Instead, reports suggest the bill may be left for the next Prime Minister, who is widely anticipated to be Andy Burnham.
Mr Burnham has previously criticised the proposed opt-out for intelligence services, stating it created "too broad an opt-out" and risked "undermining the spirit of the legislation". His spokesperson reiterated his commitment, saying that Mr Burnham will continue to campaign for the Hillsborough Law in full, stating, "Andy has campaigned alongside the Hillsborough families in their fight for justice for many years... He has been clear that the Hillsborough Law must be delivered in full as quickly as possible."
The delay has drawn criticism from opposition parties, with Ms Cooper warning it would be "unforgivable for Labour to break yet another promise" to the Hillsborough families.