Families of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing have expressed their reservations about the proposed Hillsborough law, stating they cannot endorse its current version due to concerns about potential cover-ups. A meeting was held between campaigners and Sir Keir Starmer to address worries regarding exemptions for intelligence services from the law’s duty of candor, but the outcome left them feeling disappointed.
Ruth Leney, chair of the Manchester Arena Support Network, acknowledged that Sir Keir had listened to their concerns but emphasized the need for full accountability without any dilution, especially concerning the security services. Campaigners have cautioned that the draft Hillsborough Law, also known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, could enable intelligence chiefs to shield serious failures under the guise of national security.
Highlighting the 2017 Arena bombing, Labour MP Anneliese Midgley pointed out that MI5 had misled the public for six years and hidden crucial information. In response, Sir Keir assured that the duty of candor would apply to intelligence services and defended proposed amendments, stating the balance between national security and accountability had been appropriately maintained.
The recent amendments introduced by the Government aimed to include spies under the legislation, subject to approval from the heads of their respective services, such as MI5, MI6, and GCHQ. However, concerns were raised by Elkan Abrahamson, a lawyer for the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, indicating that the amendments could grant unchecked authority to security service heads in disclosing information.
Caroline Curry, a bereaved mother, expressed devastation over the amendments, feeling misled and emphasizing the importance of standing up for transparency to protect future generations. Similarly, Lisa Rutherford, another grieving parent, expressed disappointment over the deviations from the agreed promises and called for honesty in the process.
While the debate on the Hillsborough Law was postponed to January 19 to address campaigners’ worries, the Hillsborough Law Now group emphasized the necessity for a law that upholds accountability and prevents security services from using national security as a shield for failures. The law draws its name from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where false narratives were spread about the tragedy, leading to the deaths of 97 football fans.
Government sources reiterated their commitment to working with families to strengthen the bill while ensuring national security is not compromised. Liverpool Labour MP Ian Byrne, a prominent Hillsborough campaigner, expressed intent to push for amendments fully applying the law to security services if the government does not reconsider its stance. Over 30 Labour MPs have publicly supported his proposed amendment to prevent security services from having a veto power, which families of victims find distressing.