Overview
- The government withdrew a proposed amendment that would have required approval from MI5, MI6 or GCHQ chiefs before their staff were bound by the duty of candour.
- The Commons report stage and third reading scheduled for Monday were pulled, with ministers saying the bill will return after further engagement.
- Campaigners and senior Labour figures, including Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, warned the plan created too broad an opt‑out for intelligence agencies.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the security services will not be exempt from the duty, stressing the need to balance transparency with national security.
- The group Hillsborough Law Now welcomed the U-turn, as ministers face pressure from Labour MPs, with around 30 reported to back Ian Byrne’s move to apply the duty fully to security personnel.