"The Hillsborough Law would introduce a legal obligation for public authorities to cooperate and tell the truth in inquiries. However, bereaved families and some Labour MPs have raised concerns the heads of security services would be able to exempt MI5 and MI6 officers from disclosing information. Nandy insisted security services would not be exempt from the legislation but she told the BBC the challenge was also ensuring officers, who often held confidential information, could continue to do their jobs."
"The draft law, formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, would place the same "duty of candour" on security service personnel as other public servants. However, under a change proposed by the government, this would be subject to the approval of the head of their service. Campaigners have argued this would allow those running security services to decide whether to disclose information and said they cannot support the bill in its current form."
The proposed Hillsborough Law, formally the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, would impose a legal duty of candour on public authorities and security service personnel. The government has proposed that disclosures by MI5 and MI6 officers be subject to approval by the head of their service. Campaigners and bereaved families say this change would let security service leaders decide whether to disclose information and leave decisions unchallengeable. Legal representatives argue inquiry heads, not service chiefs, should determine relevance, noting existing national security exemptions allowing private evidence. Families of the 2017 Manchester Arena victims demand the law apply fully to security services.
Read at www.bbc.com
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