The Hillsborough Law was withdrawn from the Commons late last night by the whips for the second time in a week after negotiations with campaigner families and Labour fell apart. Quite the result after Starmer claimed it was the moral insignia of Labour’s government…
The bill would impose a requirement on public officials to tell the truth in order to avoid future cover-ups. Its inability to work is baked-in…
Government figures were first frustrated by Richard Hermer’s work on the bill as its hypothetical provisions bounced around Whitehall departments. Campaigning families from groups like Hillsborough Law Now did not accept a proposed carve-out last week for intelligence officials who are sometimes required to protect sources and so on. Supported by backbench Labour MP Ian Byrne and Andy Burnham they also refused to agree to passing the third reading of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill and deal with additional amendments in the House of Lords to resolve outstanding issues. It’s now off the order paper entirely pending a rewrite…
Guido will inform co-conspirators when the 174-seat majority government manages to pass a bill. Could be a bit of a wait…
Reacting to the news of Jenrick’s sacking at a press conference in Fife, Nigel Farage said:
“I’ll give him a ring this afternoon. Might even buy him a pint.”