Hillsborough Law

That this House calls for the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, better known as the Hillsborough Law, to be passed in full as one of the first Acts of the new Parliamentary session; notes with concern the lack of progress on the Bill since the postponed Report Stage and Third Reading in January; regrets the continued delay in bringing forward the Bill for completion; welcomes the carry-over of the Bill and its inclusion in the King’s Speech; urges the Government to apply the proposed duty of candour to all public authorities, including the intelligence and security services; supports Amendment 23 and related amendments seeking to remove exemptions for those bodies; further notes with concern that exemptions for such bodies risk undermining the universality of the duty of candour; recognises that these amendments are compatible with existing national security safeguards; recalls commitments made by the Prime Minister and in the Labour Party 2024 General Election manifesto to deliver the Hillsborough Law; pays tribute to the unwavering courage and determination of bereaved families, survivors, and campaigners; acknowledges the continued impact on bereaved families and survivors affected by state failure and institutional cover-ups; believes that a full Hillsborough Law is necessary to strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust in public institutions; and further believes that the legislation would form an important legacy to the 97 and to all those seeking truth and justice following tragedies where the state is accountable.