Hillsborough Law Bill Advances in Commons After Intelligence Services Duty of Candour Amendment

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law, is expected to be passed by the House of Commons on Tuesday after ministers agreed to an amendment that applies a duty of candour to intelligence services without exemptions. BBC News reported that Downing Street withdrew the legislation from the parliamentary agenda in January 2026 over disagreements on how far the bill would require intelligence services to comply with the duty.

A government source said a new amendment has resolved the issue, allowing the bill to return before the summer recess.

The legislation would create a legal duty for public officials to tell the truth to inquiries and investigations. It follows the 1989 FA Cup semi-final crush at Sheffield Wednesday's ground that killed 97 Liverpool fans. Police spread false narratives blaming fans and withheld evidence of their own failings, according to BBC News reporting.

Fresh inquests in 2016 found that the fans had been unlawfully killed and that police had caused or contributed to the deaths. " Jenni Hicks, whose daughters Sarah and Victoria died in the crush, said she had asked Sir Keir Starmer to make the law his prime ministerial legacy to ensure accountability for victims of state wrongdoing.

Charlotte Hennessy, whose father James was among the 97 killed, said the prime minister had fulfilled a personal promise.

Alex Davies-Jones MP, who led the government's work on the legislation before resigning as victims minister in May, said the bill had been "an unnecessary uphill battle" but would "totally change how victims and the public are treated" once it reaches royal assent.