But Hillsborough families are furious as key proposals are leaked to The Times before they have seen them
Hillsborough families met with Keir Starmer last year on the day the new legislation was first laid before Parliament
Hillsborough families met with Keir Starmer last year on the day the new legislation was first laid before Parliament (Image: PA)
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Sir Keir Starmer is expected to scrap plans that would have given the security services an exemption from the landmark Hillsborough Law - as the Prime Minister pledges to keep his promise ahead of the 37th anniversary of the disaster which unlawfully killed 97 Liverpool fans.
Two days before the 37th anniversary, there is news of a potential breaking of the impasse that has been holding up the major legislation the government is set to bring in, named in honour of the 97 Liverpool fans who died after the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989.
The law will create a duty of candour that will legally force public officials to tell the truth and co-operate with disaster inquiries and inquests or face potential criminal proceedings.
The legislation's passage has been delayed by a row over an amendment detailing how the new law would cover the nation's spy and intelligence services. Campaigners described the initial proposed amendment from the government as a 'carve out' for the security services that would allow spy chiefs a veto to block spies from giving evidence.
The Hillsborough families said they could not and would not support the new law or allow their loved ones' names to be given to it with this amendment in place. They said the proposed amendment would treat the security services differently from other public bodies under the legislation.
But now it is reported that Sir Keir - who has made multiple promises to bring in a Hillsborough Law in full - will scrap the amendment and not allow spy chiefs the veto that exists within it. A report in The Times suggests that instead, security service bosses would have to make a court application for disclosures to be partially or fully exempted on grounds of national security.
The news has come as a surprise to Hillsborough families and campaigners, many of whom are deeply frustrated it has been leaked to a national newspaper in The Times before they have seen the proposed changes.
While the suggestion that the Prime Minister will scrap the veto for the security services may sound like good news - there is unease and anxiety amongst the families over the manner in which this news has made it into the public domain. They say they will not be able to comment on the proposals until they have seen them in full.
Hillsborough families met with Keir Starmer ahead of the Bill being laid before Parliament last year
Hillsborough families met with Keir Starmer ahead of the Bill being laid before Parliament last year(Image: Getty Images)
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Campaign sources continue to point the finger at the Home Office when it comes to the leaking of information related to Hillsborough Law.
It is understood that families and campaigners are expecting a briefing on the proposals from Number 10 today.
The director of the Hillsborough Law Now group, Pete Weatherby KC, told the BBC: "We have had no update from government, and as far as we are aware none of the outstanding issues have been addressed.
"We have no idea what's going on with the progress of the legislation at the moment and will be making no further comment until we are given a government update."
Speaking at an event in Manchester today, Sir Keir Starmer was asked about the latest developments with Hillsborough Law and repeated his promise to bring the new legislation in fully.
He said: “I did make that promise and I intend to deliver on that promise.
“This week is obviously an important week because it’s the anniversary – anniversary seems the wrong word in a way – but it’s the yearly reminder of what happened and the pain the families have gone through, are still going through, and the injustice that was inflicted on them for many, many years.”
He added: “I intend to make good on the promise that I made.
“Obviously we’re working with the families and others on the final balance that we need to get right in the proposed legislation.“But the duty of candour, the duty, basically, that public officials need to come forward and tell the truth – that’s a really important principle that drives me.
“So we’ll keep working on this, it’s important to get it right - I’ve made a promise and I intend to act on that promise.”