Campaigners force ministers to pull amendment to Hillsborough law

Ministers have pulled an amendment to a proposed Hillsborough law amid concerns from campaigners and MPs that the legislation was being watered down and had become a “car crash” for the government.

- Raphael Boyd

Tributes at Anfield after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. One MP said it would be 'untenable and unacceptable' to break promises Labour made to the families of the 97 victims

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The public office (accountability) bill aims to force public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters.

Amendments proposed by the government on Wednesday brought spies within the scope of the legislation, subject to the approval of the head of their service, but campaigners said this would allow those running the security services to decide whether to disclose information.

The government has decided not to move its amendment today, but to instead work with campaigners to bring forward amendments when it reaches the Lords, it is understood.

The bill will still return to the Commons for its report stage and third reading as planned.

A government spokesperson said the decision - taken after a series of U-turns on policy areas including farmers, inheritance tax, digital ID cards and business rates for pubs - was intended “to make sure the bill is the strongest it can possibly be, without compromising national security”.