Full Breakdown
Hillsborough Law: Government Shift on Security Services' Exemption
4/13/2026, 11:15:03 AM
Overview of the Hillsborough Law
The UK government is poised to amend the Hillsborough Law, which aims to enforce a "duty of candour" for public authorities during disaster inquiries. This law emerged from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 football fans lost their lives due to a terrace crush during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Sheffield. The proposed changes will prevent security services, such as MI5 and MI6, from having blanket exemptions that would allow them to block their officers from giving evidence in public inquiries.
Government's New Approach
Initially, the government had planned to allow security chiefs to veto intelligence officers from testifying if national security was at stake. However, following significant backlash from families of the victims and Labour MPs, the government is now expected to require security services to seek court approval for any exemptions from the law. This shift aims to ensure that intelligence officers are held to the same standards of transparency as other public officials.
Reactions from Stakeholders
The proposed changes have been met with a mix of surprise and relief among Hillsborough families and campaigners. Margaret Aspinall, a prominent campaigner whose son was among the victims, expressed frustration over the delays in implementing the law and urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to expedite the process. Aspinall emphasized the need for the law to prevent future state cover-ups, stating, "Get it sorted. You promised when you first came into power that you would fulfill a Hillsborough Law in all its entirety."
The Society of Editors has also welcomed the government's decision to scrap the initial exemption plans, calling it a victory for transparency and accountability. Chief Executive Dawn Alford remarked, “The whole purpose of the law is to create a ‘duty of candour’ for public authorities to tell the truth and co-operate fully with public inquiries.”
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the positive reception from some quarters, there remains skepticism about the government's commitment to fully implementing the Hillsborough Law. Critics argue that any compromise allowing security chiefs to influence disclosures undermines the law's intent. Families affected by other tragedies, such as the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, have voiced similar concerns, highlighting the need for accountability from intelligence services.
What's Next?
As the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster approaches, the government is under pressure to finalize the legislation. While discussions continue, no formal announcement regarding the new plans is expected until after this significant date. The ongoing dialogue between the government and the Hillsborough families will be crucial in shaping the final version of the law.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She said: “The news that the government is planning to scrap proposals for spy chiefs to fall outside the remit of the Hillsborough Law is a major victory for transparency and openness.” — Dawn Alford, Chief Executive, Society of Editors
- “MI5 failed our loved ones and failed us. It did so by failing to prevent the arena bombing. But it then failed and hurt us further through its lack of candour after the attack,” — Families of the Manchester Arena bombing victims
The Hillsborough Law represents a significant step towards ensuring accountability and transparency in public inquiries, particularly concerning the actions of security services. The upcoming decisions will be pivotal in restoring trust among the families affected by past tragedies.
