In a move that has sparked outrage among campaigners and lawmakers, the government has proposed an amendment to its Hillsborough law that critics argue would water down the legislation’s impact. The proposed change, which would allow senior officials to opt out of disclosing information related to disasters, has been met with fierce opposition from those who have long fought for justice and accountability in the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy.
The public office (accountability) bill, which aims to compel public officials and contractors to be truthful in the wake of disasters, was initially seen as a significant step forward in ensuring transparency and holding the authorities accountable. However, the government’s latest amendment, introduced on Wednesday, has threatened to undermine the very purpose of the law.
Campaigners and Members of Parliament have argued that the amendment would effectively allow those running the security services to decide whether to disclose information, a move they have described as “untenable and unacceptable.” The government’s decision to withdraw the amendment on Monday, following a backlash, has been welcomed by the Hillsborough Law Now campaign group, who have vowed to continue working with the government to ensure the bill fully applies to the security services without compromising national security.
The Hillsborough disaster, in which 97 people died as a result of a crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, has been a long-standing source of anguish and frustration for the victims’ families. For decades, they have fought to establish the truth and hold those responsible accountable, a battle that was finally vindicated in 2016 when an inquest found the men, women, and children to have been unlawfully killed due to gross negligence manslaughter by the South Yorkshire police.
The proposed amendment has been seen as a betrayal of the promises made to the Hillsborough families, with Labour MPs warning of the potential for “almost permanent damage to the Labour party” if the amendment were to be included. The party’s frontbench has been accused of “ripping our party apart” by some, as the government’s insistence on the amendment threatened to divide the opposition.
As the Hillsborough law moves forward, the government has vowed to continue working with all parties to ensure the legislation is as robust as possible, without compromising national security. However, the controversy surrounding the amendment has underscored the delicate balance between upholding transparency and safeguarding sensitive information, a balance that will undoubtedly be at the heart of the ongoing debate.