Overview

• Clive Efford and Ian Byrne pressed Commons Leader Lucy Powell to introduce the Public Authorities Accountability Bill, including the duty of candour provision, by the end of July without dilution.
• The proposed Hillsborough Law would impose a statutory duty of candour on public bodies after major disasters, requiring truthful cooperation with inquiries or risk criminal sanctions.
• The Government failed to meet its April deadline for introducing the legislation and says it is working swiftly with families and campaigners to finalise the Bill.
• Campaigners, including the Hillsborough Law Now group, have criticised a draft Bill for omitting promised safeguards and fear officials are seeking to weaken its measures.
• Bereaved families of the 97 Hillsborough victims view the legislation as a vital step toward accountability, preventing future cover-ups.