Hillsborough Law Debate Pulled After MP and Campaigner Backlash

On 19 January 2026 the UK government withdrew a proposed amendment to the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law, after backlash from campaigners and MPs. The amendment would have allowed intelligence services to conceal failures under a national security clause, a move criticised by the campaign group Hillsborough Law Now and MPs such as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram and MP Ian Byrne. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he would ‘get the balance right’ before re‑introducing provisions aimed at ensuring officials, including police and intelligence agencies, answer openly to disasters such as the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy, the Grenfell Tower fire and the infected blood scandal. The bill’s report and third‑reading were postponed and the government pledged to work with bereaved families and campaigners on future amendments when the bill reaches the House of Lords.