Campaigners welcome removal of H'boro law amendment

FEARS HAD BEEN RAISED THAT THE LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE BEEN WATERED DOWN WITH SECURITY SERVICES DECIDING WHETHER TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION

- By OLIVIA WILLIAMS AND LIAM THORP

THE government has pulled a key amendment to its proposed Hillsborough Law after families and campaigners said they could not support it over fears it would water down the landmark legislation.

The law - officially called the Public Office (Accountability) Bill - aims to force public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters. It is named in honour of the 97 Liverpool fans who were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough and their families who faced decades of lies as they fought for truth and justice.

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

The row has threatened to derail the entire bill, with families and campaigners saying they cannot support it with this amendment in place. A crucial vote - known as the Report Stage - was delayed from last Wednesday to allow Prime Minister Keir Starmer to meet with campaigners last week.