Keir Starmer meets with Margaret Aspinall, whose son James was killed at right, at 10 Downing Street Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in London, England. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP) Keir Starmer is facing a mounting backlash amid accusations he is watering down the so-called “ Hillsborough Law” to protect members of the intelligence services. 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. MPs are due to debate the law in the Commons next week, but the government has introduced amendments which would allow the heads of the security services to decide whether or not to disclose information. Labour MP Ian Byrne, who was at Hillsborough, condemned the move and said he could not support it. In a statement posted on X, the Liverpool West Derby MP said: “I cannot, in all good conscience, support any amendments that abandon the Manchester Arena bombing families, nuclear test veterans, or the Chinook disaster families. “I made a commitment to deliver the Hillsborough Law… without exemptions, without loopholes and without carve-outs. “The government made this promise in its manifesto. If the government’s amendments are passed then the legislation, in its current form, is not that.” Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson said: “This is not the bill we were promised by the prime minister. We need a full duty of candour for every public body. “If it doesn’t apply to all, it’s not the Hillsborough Law and doesn’t deserve the name.” Andy Burnham , the Labour mayor of Manchester and a potential leadership rival to Starmer, has also spoken out against the government. He told the BBC: “The amendments the government is trying to put through says the head of MI5 or MI6 will decide whether or not its operatives will give evidence, but that isn’t acceptable to the families and I support them in this. “We’ve always said that it should be the full Hillsborough Law.” HuffPost UK understands senior government figures fear a Hillsborough Law rebellion has the potential to severely undermine what remains of Starmer’s authority with Labour MPs. Opposition to the government amendments from Liverpool-based MPs like Byrne and Johnson could trigger a huge backbench rebellion, Labour sources believe. “I think this has all the makings of big trouble,” said one. “Ian was at Hillsborough which gives him some sway.” But a senior cabinet minister said: “I think most people will understand that the intelligence services have to do some of their work covertly.” pic.twitter.com/Fo2ZHSGWga — lan Byrne MP (@IanByrneMP) January 15, 2026 A government spokesperson said: “We are bringing in a landmark piece of legislation putting a legal duty on officials to respond openly and honestly when things go wrong. “This would not have been possible without the tireless campaigning from victims and families who have lost loved ones and we are determined to make this Bill a lasting legacy to the decades they have called for change. “We have listened to their concerns on how the duty of candour will apply to the security services and we will continue to work with them to make the Bill as strong as it can possibly be, while never compromising on national security.” Related... What Happened At Hillsborough? How The Disaster Unfolded 'People Are Livid': Labour MPs In Despair As Starmer's Latest U-Turn Sparks Fresh Crisis Keir Starmer Ditches Compulsory Digital ID In 13th U-Turn Since Becoming Prime Minister