Government to Remove Intelligence Service Exemption from Proposed Hillsborough Law

In Brief

The planned change could allow public inquiries to access evidence from intelligence agencies, addressing concerns raised by families and MPs.

Key Facts

• Security chiefs will no longer be able to block spies from giving evidence to future public inquiries.
• The delayed Hillsborough law's progress had previously stalled due to disagreement over intelligence service inclusion.
• Downing Street is understood to be ready to drop the block on Security Service coverage under the law.
• Concerns from families and Labour MPs influenced the government's shift on the issue.
• The law enforces a duty of candour for public officials in inquiries.

What Happened

The government is set to remove a provision that allowed security chiefs to prevent intelligence staff from giving evidence to public inquiries, potentially reviving the stalled Hillsborough law.

Why It Matters

This development addresses longstanding demands for greater transparency and accountability in public inquiries, particularly from those affected by the Hillsborough disaster and their advocates.

What's Next

Observers expect the legislative process for the Hillsborough law to resume, with attention on how the new provisions will be implemented and whether they satisfy campaigners' concerns.