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Starmer Drops Spy Chiefs’ Veto in Hillsborough Law Overhaul

Court oversight would aim to balance secrecy with a new legal duty to tell the truth.

Overview

  • The plan, reported by several outlets Monday following a weekend leak, would scrap a unilateral veto for security service chiefs and require a judge to approve any national-security redactions through public interest immunity applications.
  • The government intends to widen the law’s reach to Counter Terrorism Policing, the National Crime Agency and Defence Intelligence, bringing more security bodies under the duty of candour.
  • Keir Starmer said Monday he will deliver the legislation and stressed that public officials must tell the truth and cooperate with inquiries.
  • Bereaved families condemned the leak of the proposals before Wednesday’s Hillsborough anniversary and said they will wait to see the final text before commenting.
  • Government insiders say the bill will not pass in the current parliamentary session and will be rolled into the next one.