Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Bodies: Legal Duty of Candour

Tuesday 20 February 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Richard Burgon raised concerns about introducing a legal duty of candour on public bodies, referencing the Bishop James Jones report and the Hillsborough charter.
  • The government agreed to legislate for a strong, permanent, and independent public advocate to uphold the Hillsborough charter.
  • Kevin Brennan welcomed the Secretary of State's meeting offer but criticized the government's approach for being overly bureaucratic and not centered on families' experiences.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Standards & Ethics
Context

Following the Bishop James Jones Report and the oral statement on Hillsborough, Richard Burgon asks for legislative proposals to introduce a legal duty of candour.

Question

With reference to his oral statement of 6 December 2023 on Hillsborough: Bishop James Jones Report, I am concerned about introducing a legal duty of candour on public bodies. The excellent report by Bishop James Jones calls for such a duty and the Government has signed the Hillsborough charter alongside other organisations. However, legislative proposals are needed to ensure public bodies act with transparency and accountability.

Answer from Alex Chalk

We agree with Bishop James Jones's report and have signed the Hillsborough charter alongside other organisations. We are legislating for a strong, permanent and independent public advocate to speak up for victims and their families, and rigorously hold signatories to the charter accountable. We stand ready to discuss further steps that may be necessary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Legislative proposals not specified

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Q2 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The parents of Zane Gbangbola, who died in floods a decade ago, are in the Public Gallery. Richard Burgon requests an independent panel inquiry with full disclosure to review evidence and ensure justice.

Question

Zane Gbangbola's parents are here today. Zane was seven when he died during floods 10 years ago this month. The fire brigade detected hydrogen cyanide multiple times, yet the truth about his death has not been revealed. A duty of candour would have helped them. Instead, will you establish an independent panel inquiry with full disclosure so all evidence can be reviewed by experts and justice done?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I am grateful for raising this deeply upsetting case. The House is thinking of Kye and Nicole as they mourn their son's loss. This is a critically important case, and I suggest discussing it further to see what steps can be taken.

Not addressed: Independent panel inquiry not committed to

How: Suggesting Further Discussion

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Q3 Kevin Brennan Lab
Standards & Ethics
Context

The problem with the Government's response is that it should focus on family experiences, not bureaucratic convenience. There is no indication from the government that they are committed to requiring public authorities to act with candour and transparency.

Question

I welcome the Secretary of State's meeting offer. The problem lies in the government's approach being centred on state bureaucracy rather than families' experiences. Nothing we've seen suggests a comprehensive duty of candour, as proposed in the Hillsborough law. Why persist with piecemeal approaches instead?

Answer from Alex Chalk

The recommendations from Bishop James Jones's report were considered carefully, including paragraph 3 which mandates public bodies to act openly, honestly, and transparently. The Inquiries Act 2005 also provides significant powers, but we will keep this under review to ensure transparency in public bodies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Comprehensive duty of candour not committed to

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