'Don't vote for this watered down bill'

FAMILIES URGE MPS TO BACK IAN BYRNE'S H'BORO LAW AMENDMENT

- By LIAM THORP

FAMILIES of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster are now urging Members of Parliament to vote against the government in a crucial vote on the landmark Hillsborough Law on Monday amid a row that is threatening the legitimacy of the historic legislation.

The new law aims to introduce a duty of candour on public officials, with criminal sanctions if they are found to have lied or misled the public.

Sir Keir has repeatedly pledged to bring in the new law and has said it will not be watered down.

But a major row has developed over what campaigners have called a "carve out" for the intelligence and security services following an amendment put forward by the government.

Families and campaigners say this would effectively exempt organisations like MI5 from the duty of candour, meaning the head of that service could decide when information should or should not be revealed.

The government insists the duty of candour will apply to intelligence services, but says there is a delicate balance to strike to protect national security.