LABOUR ministers tonight U-turned on a plan to exempt spies from the proposed Hillsborough Law.
withdrew a proposed amendment after a backlash by campaigners and some of its own MPs.
The PM’s Government withdrew a proposed amendment after a backlashCredit: Reuters
MI5 head Sir Ken McCallum was involved in speaking to some MPsCredit: PA
Politicians had voiced fears could dodge the legal requirement for public bodies to truthfully cooperate with inquiries.
The amendment would have meant the law applying to them only in cases where their service chief signed it off.
But campaigners warned that would let them decide for themselves whether to release information.
Culture Secretary told the : “I just want to be really clear, the security services won’t be exempt.”
She added it was vital not to have a repeat of the , where “security services are able to withhold information and present an inaccurate picture to families and to a public inquiry for a very long time”.
Around 30 MPs backed a call by Labour MP Ian Byrne that would ensure the law applied fully to security service personnel.
It was also understood that, amid increasing Government concern about a rebellion, head Sir Ken McCallum was involved in speaking to some MPs.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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