Tomorrow (21.10.2018) will see the 3rd, and final day, of the HoL Committee stage hearing of the Public Office Accountability Bill. You can watch it live here: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Inde… To recap on Day 2 (19.10.2018) - The focus was more on the Bill detail and considering proposed changes to strengthen or clarify the Bill's provisions in ensuring that public officials DO tell the truth, DO preserve evidence and DO face meaningful consequences when they fail within their duties. Members of the House Of Lords discussed in detail (This is my summary, apologies if i have missed anything out)- * What should happen if officials deliberately destroy documents, emails or other evidence after a serious incident. * What should happen after an inquiry makes recommendations. * If there should there be a one national code that covers ALL public bodies or individual standards across public bodies that are adjusted to their organisation. * How the Bill will ensure there is consistent standards and accountability across all public services. * How the Bill will define what is "misleading information" and how it will hold officials responsible for misleading statements without making the rules unclear, unfair or easy to avoid. Day 1s transcripts can be read here - bills.parliament.uk/publicat… Day 2s transcript is here - bills.parliament.uk/publicat… As always, thank you for your continual support of @NowHillsborough #PublicOfficeAccountabilityBill #HillsboroughLaw #Accountability #Candour #Justice

For those following the journey of.the Public Office Accountability Bill. The 2nd day of the Committee Stage hearing of the Public Office Accountability Bill takes place tomorrow - Monday 19th October 2026 (Link to watch it is at the bottom of this post). Last week saw day 1/3. I have tried to put togrther a recap of day 1 here: Discussions took place as whether the law will genuinely make public authorities and officials tell the truth, and whether they will disclose relevant evidence/cooperate with investigations. There was also discussion about whether the safeguards are strong enough to protect whistleblowers and prevent information from being withheld from investigations, inquests and/or inquiries. Peers debated amendments, some of which were withdrawn so discussions could continue or potentially be revisited later. * The biggest outstanding concern is in relation to Whistleblower protection. Baroness Kramer and others argued that the Bill does not go far enough to protect people who expose wrongdoing. Their proposals included protection from retaliation, a duty to investigate credible disclosures and an independent Office of the Whistleblower. * Baroness Brinton sought explicit wording requiring public authorities and officials to retain and disclose relevant records, including WhatsApp messages and other digital communications. * Lord Faulkner proposed requiring the Government to prepare legislation bringing police records in England and Wales under the supervision of the Keeper of Public Records. The concern was that important evidence could be lost, destroyed or inadequately preserved. * Baroness Chakrabarti argued that senior leaders should bear clearer responsibility for ensuring their organisations comply with the duty of candour. * Peers also sought to ensure that the duty of candour explicitly applies when public authorities deal with the Independent Public Advocate, and to strengthen the advocate's ability to support victims and bereaved families. The Committee agreed Clause 1, Clause 2, Schedule 1 as amended, Clauses 3 and 4, Clause 5, and Clauses 6 and 7. The full discussions can be found here - bills.parliament.uk/bills/40… Day 2 committee stage hearing can be watched here - parliamentlive.tv/Event/Inde… The journey to stronger candour, openess, honesty and transparency continues ✊️❤️ #PublicOfficeAccoumtabilityBill #HillsboroughLaw #Accountability #Candour #Law