'It Will Break My Heart': Labour MP Says He'll Vote Against Hillsborough Law Unless Starmer Climbs Down

A Labour MP who was at the Hillsborough disaster has said he will vote against a law aimed at preventing future cover-ups unless Keir Starmer drops plans to give protection to members of the security services.

Ian Byrne said “it’s going to break my heart” if he needs to oppose government moves to amend the so-called “Hillsborough Law”.

The prime minister is facing major backbench rebellion when MPs vote on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill on Monday.

Labour promised in its election manifesto to introduce the legislation, which would force public bodies to tell the truth following major disasters.

That followed a campaign by the families of the 97 Liverpool supporters killed at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground at an FA Cup semi-final in 1989.

Margaret Aspinall, whose son James died at Hillsborough, even introduced Starmer onto the stage ahead of his keynote speech at last year’s Labour conference in Liverpool.

Under the law, a “duty of candour” would be introduced making it illegal for those in positions of authority to withhold information from investigations.

But the government has introduced amendments to the legislation which would allow the heads of the security services to decide whether or not to disclose information involving their operations.

Ministers insist the changes are necessary on national security grounds.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast on Sunday, Byrne said: “That ability to cover up if there’s been mistakes made by the security services is still there and that is not what the Hillsborough Law was meant to do.

“The Hillsborough Law was meant to change the culture of cover ups, which have caused so much harm in this country. And unfortunately, as it stands now, we feel that’s still a live threat.”

The Liverpool West Derby MP added: “The whole point of this is rewiring that system, and if it doesn’t it and then it’s not worthy of being called the Hillsborough Law.

“So tomorrow, and it’s going to break my heart, if I’ve got to go through a voting lobby and vote against legislation that bears the name of Hillsborough, but I will do.”

Campaigners have spoken out against the government amendments, as has Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Manchester.

HuffPost UK understands senior government figures fear a Hillsborough Law backlash has the potential to destroy what remains of Starmer’s authority with Labour MPs.

Opposition to the government amendments from Liverpool-based MPs like Byrne could trigger a huge backbench rebellion, Labour sources believe.