<\/p>\n
The government has pulled an amendment to its proposed Hillsborough law amid concerns from campaigners and MPs that the legislation was being watered down and had become a \u201ccar crash\u201d for the government.<\/p>\n
The public office (accountability) bill aims to force public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters.<\/p>\n
Amendments proposed by the government on Wednesday<\/a> brought spies 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.<\/p>\n The government has decided not to move its amendment on Monday, but to instead work with campaigners and the bereaved 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.<\/p>\n The government has performed a series of recent U-turns on controversial policy areas, including farmers\u2019 inheritance tax<\/a>, digital ID cards<\/a> and business rates for pubs<\/a>. A government spokesperson said the decision was intended \u201cto make sure the bill is the strongest it can possibly be, without compromising national security\u201d.<\/p>\n The campaign group Hillsborough Law Now said in a post on X<\/a>: \u201cWe welcome the government listening to the campaign, families, MPs and supporters by withdrawing their security services amendment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe shall engage further with government to ensure the bill fully applies to the security services whilst not jeopardising national security.\u201d<\/p>\n The new legislation has been prompted by the campaigning of families bereaved in the 1989 disaster at Sheffield Wednesday\u2019s Hillsborough stadium where 97 people died as a result of a crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool<\/a> and Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n