Hillsborough Law
The 'Hillsborough Law' is the Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2024-26, a Government bill creating a statutory duty of candour, transparency and frankness on public authorities and officials, with criminal sanctions for non-compliance and parity of legal representation for bereaved families at inquests and inquiries.
2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Carry-over)
10.4 pm The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones): I beg to move, That if, at the conclusion of this Session of Parliament, proceedings on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill have not been completed, they shall be resumed …
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 21 April 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 14 April 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Legislative Consent Motions-devolved legislatures: Legislative Consent Motion approved by Senedd Cymru - 26 March 2026
What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill.
Why linked: 19 March 2026 Commons oral question by Ian Byrne asking the Solicitor General about Cabinet discussions on the Bill — direct on-thread parliamentary engagement by the Hillsborough Law Now parliamentary lead.
What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill. oral_question | Commons | Member: Ian Byrne (Labour)
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 12 February 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 10 February 2026
What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill.
Why linked: 5 February 2026 Commons oral question by Ian Byrne on Cabinet discussions on the Bill — direct on-thread engagement.
What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill. oral_question | Commons | Member: Ian Byrne (Labour)
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 4 February 2026
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill on the intelligence services.
Why linked: 3 February 2026 Commons oral question by Harriet Cross specifically asking about the Bill's impact on intelligence services, directly bearing on clause 6 / s.23A(10) Inquiries Act 2005 carve-out.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill on the intelligence services. oral_question | Commons | Member: Harriet Cross (Conservative)
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 29 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 27 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 20 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
20:14:00 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones): With your permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on the next steps for the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, also known as the Hillsborough law. As Members will …
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
Bill to be considered tomorrow.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 19 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 16 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 15 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 14 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 13 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 12 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 9 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 8 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 7 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 6 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 5 January 2026
2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 19 December 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 18 December 2025
Public Bill Committee: Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting)
Why linked: Hansard transcript of the Fifth Public Bill Committee sitting on 4 December 2025 — including clause 11 (misleading the public) debate.
The Committee consisted of the following Members: Chairs: Peter Dowd, † Sir Roger Gale † Asser, James (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab) † Atkinson, Catherine (Derby North) (Lab) † Botterill, Jade (Ossett and Denby Dale) (Lab) † Byrne, Ian (Liverpool …
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Bill proceedings: Commons: All proceedings up to 4 December 2025 at Public Bill Committee Stage
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Bill 341 2024-26 (as amended in Public Bill Committee)
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 4 December 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Selection of amendments: Commons: Chair’s selection and grouping of amendments for debate in Committee - 4 December 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Fifth sitting) — Hansard, 4 December 2025
Clause 11 creates a new offence of misleading the public, designed to capture the most serious incidents of misleading the public, such as the behaviour seen after Hillsborough.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 3 December 2025
Public Bill Committee: Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Fourth sitting)
Why linked: Hansard transcript of the Fourth Public Bill Committee sitting on 2 December 2025.
The Committee consisted of the following Members: Chairs: † Peter Dowd, Sir Roger Gale † Asser, James (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab) † Atkinson, Catherine (Derby North) (Lab) † Botterill, Jade (Ossett and Denby Dale) (Lab) † Byrne, Ian (Liverpool …
Public Bill Committee: Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Third sitting)
Why linked: Hansard transcript of the Third Public Bill Committee sitting on 2 December 2025 — clause-by-clause consideration including intelligence-services scope.
The Committee consisted of the following Members: Chairs: Peter Dowd, † Sir Roger Gale † Asser, James (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab) † Atkinson, Catherine (Derby North) (Lab) † Botterill, Jade (Ossett and Denby Dale) (Lab) † Byrne, Ian (Liverpool …
Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Third sitting — clause-by-clause) — Hansard, 2 December 2025
Why linked: Foundational document — Public Bill Committee third sitting clause-by-clause debate on the Hillsborough Law Bill.
Committee stage clause-by-clause consideration, including amendments on intelligence services and the duty of candour scope.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 2 December 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Selection of amendments: Commons: Chair’s selection and grouping of amendments for debate in Committee - 2 December 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Fourth sitting) — Hansard, 2 December 2025
Hansard record of the fourth Public Bill Committee sitting on 2 December 2025.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 1 December 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 28 November 2025
Public Bill Committee: Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Second sitting)
Why linked: Hansard transcript of the Second Public Bill Committee sitting on 27 November 2025 — core PBC evidence record for the Bill.
The Committee consisted of the following Members: Chairs: † Peter Dowd, Sir Roger Gale † Asser, James (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab) Atkinson, Catherine (Derby North) (Lab) † Botterill, Jade (Ossett and Denby Dale) (Lab) † Byrne, Ian (Liverpool West …
Public Bill Committee: Public Office (Accountability) Bill (First sitting)
Why linked: Hansard transcript of the First Public Bill Committee sitting on 27 November 2025 — core PBC evidence record for the Bill.
The Committee consisted of the following Members: Chairs: Peter Dowd, † Sir Roger Gale † Asser, James (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab) Atkinson, Catherine (Derby North) (Lab) † Botterill, Jade (Ossett and Denby Dale) (Lab) † Byrne, Ian (Liverpool West …
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Committee stage
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 27 November 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Public Bill Committee — Committees — UK Parliament
Summary for Public Office (Accountability) Bill Public Bill Committee.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Second sitting — evidence session) — Hansard, 27 November 2025
Hansard record of the second Public Bill Committee sitting on 27 November 2025, covering intelligence services accountability and cultural change.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill (First sitting — evidence session) — Hansard, 27 November 2025
An evidence session was held with representatives of the Hillsborough families, the Law Commission, INQUEST and other bodies, including discussion of intelligence services accountability.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 25 November 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 24 November 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Notices of Amendments as at 17 November 2025
Hillsborough Law
Why linked: Lord Alton's QSD on progress of the Hillsborough Law (13 Nov 2025).
Question for Short Debate 16:03:00 Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in the development of the proposed ‘Hillsborough Law’. Lord Alton of Liverpool (CB): My Lords, the Prime Minister opened …
Lords debate — Hansard, 13 November 2025
Why linked: Lords debate on Hillsborough Law (13 Nov 2025).
Parliament will want to be convinced that the Hillsborough law will tip the balance away from the behemoth against whom the small battalions are pitted.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
Second Reading 5.27 pm The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer): I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. Before I come to the Bill, I put on record in this House my own tribute to the …
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Second reading
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Second Reading — Hansard, 3 November 2025
The Prime Minister opened the Second Reading debate, calling Hillsborough 'an injustice' and 'a cover-up by the institutions that are supposed to protect and serve'.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — First reading
A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Bill 306 2024-26 (as introduced)
Public Office (Accountability) Bill publications — Parliamentary Bills — UK Parliament
Includes the Government human rights memorandum, written evidence from committee stage, delegated powers memorandum, and Legislative Consent Motion approved by Senedd Cymru on 26 March 2026.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Parliamentary Bills — UK Parliament
Current version of Public Office (Accountability) Bill with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses.
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to introduce a duty of candour.
Why linked: Anneliese Midgley MP oral question on Cabinet steps to introduce a duty of candour.
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to introduce a duty of candour. oral_question | Commons | Member: Anneliese Midgley (Labour)
Duty of Candour for Public Authorities and Legal Representation for Bereaved Families — Westminster Hall debate — Hansard, 3 September 2025
Why linked: Westminster Hall debate (3 Sept 2025) specifically on duty of candour and legal representation in the Hillsborough Law context.
I am here to speak about the urgent need for a statutory duty of candour and the full implementation of the Hillsborough law, and to oppose the forces that want to fight against this change.
“Hillsborough Law”
Why linked: Lords Oral Question on Hillsborough Law (24 July 2025).
Question 11:37:00 Asked by Lord Storey: To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in introducing the proposed “Hillsborough Law”. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede) (Lab): My Lords, we remain committed …
"Hillsborough Law" — Lords Oral Question — Hansard, 24 July 2025
Why linked: Lords Oral Question on Hillsborough Law (24 July 2025).
My Lords, we remain committed to delivering a Hillsborough law, as set out in the manifesto. It is vital that we get this landmark legislation right.
If he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a legal duty of candour on public bodies.
Why linked: Ian Byrne MP oral question on bringing forward legislation for a legal duty of candour.
If he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a legal duty of candour on public bodies. oral_question | Commons | Member: Ian Byrne (Labour)
Public Authority (Accountability) — Ten Minute Rule Bill — Hansard, 2 July 2025
As the parliamentary lead for the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, I am proud to reintroduce this legislation, the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill.
The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (Alteration of Coroner Areas) Order 2025
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Coroners and Justice Act 2009
The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (Coroner Areas and Assistant Coroners) Transitional Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1625), which came into force on 25th July 2013, established that the former “coroners’ districts” - as constituted under the Coroners Act 1988 (c. 13) …
“Hillsborough Law”
Why linked: Lords Oral Question on Hillsborough Law (22 April 2025) — companion record to event pk=56261.
Question 15:10:00 Asked by Baroness Chakrabarti: To ask His Majesty’s Government when they intend to introduce the ‘Hillsborough Law’ as set out in the Labour Party Manifesto 2024; and what steps they are taking to ensure any such legislation will …
'Hillsborough Law' — Lords Oral Questions — Hansard
Why linked: Lords oral questions on the Hillsborough Law in April 2025 — captures the government's pre-bill commitment and the political pressure around the missed April 2025 deadline.
Yes, the Government are very clear: we remain fully committed to bringing legislation forward at pace, which will include a legal duty of candour for public servants and criminal sanctions for those who refuse to comply.