"The new law follows campaigning by families affected by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster that claimed 97 lives. Police leaders were found to have spread false narratives about that disaster, blaming Liverpool fans, and withheld evidence of their own failings. It has also been supported by the families of victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. A public inquiry found MI5 had not given an "accurate picture" of the key intelligence it held on the suicide bomber who carried out that attack."
"The law will create a new legal duty on public bodies and servants to act truthfully and fully support investigations into the state, ensuring wrongdoing is not concealed with criminal sanctions for breaches. However, as things stand, the ancillary "duty of candour" will not fully apply to individual MI5 officers, unlike people who work for organisations such as the police."
Parliament postponed the third reading of a bill that would impose a legal duty for public bodies and servants to act truthfully and support investigations, with criminal sanctions for breaches. Families bereaved by Hillsborough and the Manchester Arena bombing have urged the prime minister to ensure the duty applies to MI5, MI6 and GCHQ and have not received a reply. MPs from different parties raised concerns that the ancillary duty of candour will not fully cover individual intelligence officers. Campaigners assisting with the bill say they were misled by the government during negotiations, and the bill is being tweaked to address issues.
Read at www.bbc.com
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