Overview
- Officials confirmed on Sunday that the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law, will return to the House of Commons this week for Report Stage and Third Reading.
- New amendments propose 'compliance directions' that would require current or former intelligence staff to pass information to the head of their agency, who would then provide material to inquiries under existing protections for sensitive material.
- The bill would create a legally enforceable duty of candour for public officials, make it a criminal offence to knowingly mislead inquiries, and expand legal aid so bereaved families can secure publicly funded representation at inquests.
- Campaigners and Hillsborough families welcomed the reported concession that there will be no blanket carve‑outs for security services, saying the change breaks the months‑long impasse that stalled the legislation.
- If MPs approve the amendments this week the bill will move to the House of Lords for further scrutiny and possible change, and its final shape and safeguards will depend on votes and peer amendments.