The government submitted an amendment that would "carve out" the intelligence and security services
Steve Rotheram addresses the first Liverpool City Region AI summit
Steve Rotheram(Image: )
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Hillsborough survivor and mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram and mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham have both called for the government to withdraw its amendment to the Hillsborough Law ahead of Monday's debate.
The new law aims to introduce a duty of candour on public officials, with criminal sanctions if they are found to have lied or misled the public. Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly pledged to bring in the new law and has said it will not be watered down.
But a major row has developed over what campaigners have called a "carve out" for the intelligence and security services following an amendment put forward by the government. Families and campaigners say this would effectively exempt organisations like MI5 from the duty of candour, meaning the head of that service could decide when information should or should not be revealed.
The government insists the duty of candour will apply to intelligence services, but says there is a delicate balance to strike to protect national security.
The issue resulted in a key vote on the Hillsborough Law - known as the report stage - being delayed from Wednesday (January 14) of this week to Monday (January 19) next week, allowing time for families and campaigners to meet with the Prime Minister to air their concerns.
But that meeting ended without resolution and the ECHO understands the government will be proceeding with its security services amendment on Monday, which will not have the support of the Hillsborough Law campaign.
The two mayors have now joined families and campaigners in calling for the vote to be delayed further. The Hillsborough Law is also being supported by survivors and families of those who died in the Manchester Arena bombing, with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham being a vocal supporter of the legislation.
Margaret Aspinall after receiving the Freedom of Knowsley with Steve Rotheram (Mayor of Liverpool City Region) left and Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester)
Margaret Aspinall after receiving the Freedom of Knowsley with Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
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In the joint statement from the two mayors who have been key supporters in the law, they said: "We have both seen devastating incidents in our regions and would never support anything which compromises national security.
"An important part of strengthening the country’s defences is establishing the truth at the earliest opportunity when things go wrong and that is why, if drafted correctly, the Hillsborough Law could create a culture in all public services where that is the norm.
"As it stands, we believe the government’s amendment in relation to the security services creates too broad an opt-out and risks undermining the spirit of the legislation. We appreciate that the government has made huge strides in working to deliver the Hillsborough Law and are grateful for their willingness to work with campaigners thus far to make it the strongest law possible.
"It is in that spirit that we call on them to withdraw their amendment ahead of Monday’s debate and work with the families and the Hillsborough Law Now campaign to find a solution acceptable to all sides."
On Friday, January 16, the ECHO reported Liverpool West Derby Labour MP Ian Byrne, a Hillsborough survivor and the parliamentary lead for the campaign, had presented an alternative amendment to the government and urged fellow MPs to vote in favour of his amendment due to support from families and campaigners.
He told the ECHO: "My stance at this stage is that we are looking at getting as many names on my amendment as possible.
"We want people to reject the government amendment and vote for this one.
"This is something that has given me sleepless nights, to go into the lobby and vote against the name of a Hillsborough Law.
"The Prime Minister has the power, the gift to determine if this legislation is passed and can truly be called a Hillsborough Law. I will be speaking to MPs this weekend and telling them the truth, this is the last place I wanted to be in the world."
He added: "I wanted to go into Parliament and welcome the Hillsborough Law, but I can't do that because the families don't support it as things stand.
"It's an awful position to be in. It feels like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But I have got to represent my feelings and the campaign and make sure their voices are heard."
Charlotte Hennessy, whose dad James was unlawfully killed at Hillsborough, said she will be unable to support the government's bill as it stands and is urging people to back Ian Byrne's amendment.
She told the ECHO: "I didn't want to be in this position and I don't want this to take away from all of our hard work.
"We have worked collaboratively with the Prime Minister and his team and what we have achieved in 95% of this bill is amazing.
"However, we were always very clear that we could not and would not leave anyone behind. We're not willing to do that.
"I completely support Ian Byrne, he has been pivotal in this journey and I back him 100% and I would urge every MP and every person who wants to stop cover ups to write to their MPs and back Ian's amendment.
"I am really disappointed that it has come to this, but this is not from us not trying, the Prime Minister has really tried, we are just so sorry it has come to this."