Hillsborough law paused while government seeks agreement with families

Labour has delayed the Hillsborough law after talks with families over how the duty of candour would apply to serving intelligence officers broke down; the bill will not return to the Commons until agreement is reached.

Labour has paused progress on the public authority accountability bill known as the Hillsborough law after talks with families ended without agreement. Families affected by Hillsborough and the Manchester Arena attack raise concerns about how the bill's duty of candour would apply to serving intelligence officers. Ministers and family representatives met at the Ministry of Justice but left without a compromise. The government has set out amendments; parties are continuing discussions without a fixed deadline. Known facts: - Talks between ministers and families broke down over the application of the duty of candour to active intelligence officers. - The government has proposed amendments that would involve agency chiefs in decisions about when officers can give evidence; families say this creates an unacceptable opt-out. - The bill has been removed from Commons business and will not return until agreement is reached with families and relevant agencies. - The bill still requires report stage and third reading in the Commons and further consideration in the House of Lords. Summary: The delay pauses the bill while ministers, families, intelligence agencies and departments seek common ground on accountability and national security. No deadline has been set for talks. The bill must still complete further Commons stages and pass through the Lords before it can become law.