Hillsborough Law clears Commons

The Hillsborough Law, officially the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, is set to clear its remaining stages in the House of Commons this week. The legislation creates a legally enforceable duty of candour for public officials and authorities during investigations and inquiries. Named after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster where 97 Liverpool fans died, the bill had been delayed over concerns from security services about its impact on spies. The government has now reached a compromise with amendments ensuring intelligence employees are covered without compromising national security. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy expressed confidence the bill would return, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his likely successor Andy Burnham have supported it. Campaigner Margaret Aspinall, whose son died in the disaster, said she was 'over the moon'. The bill will then proceed to the United Kingdom — House of Lords.