Public Office (Accountability) Bill — Amendment Paper: Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 2 December 2025

Committee StageTuesday 2 December 2025
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
(Amendment Paper)
This document lists all amendments tabled to the Public Office (Accountability) Bill. Any withdrawn
amendments are listed at the end of the document. The amendments are arranged in the order in which
it is expected they will be decided.
This document should be read alongside the Chair’s provisional Selection and Grouping, which sets out
the order in which the amendments will be debated.
Alex Davies-Jones has given notice of her intention to move a motion in the following
terms under the provisions of Standing Order No. 83C(10).
Alex Davies-Jones
That the programme order of 27 November 2025 be varied as follows: in paragraph 3, after
“new Schedules;” insert “Clauses 19 to 26;”.
_31 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 2, page 2, line 23, at end insert—
“(ba) their failure to act, omission, or approval or tacit approval of an action
are or may be relevant to the inquiry or investigation, or”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment clarifies that an indirect wrongdoing would be considered as an occurrence of
misconduct or failure when examined as part of an inquiry, investigation or inquest.

_42 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 2, page 2, line 35, at end insert—
“(ca) where the authority or official has relevant records, including digital
messages and communication, retain and disclose those records;”
_32 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 2, page 2, line 39, at end insert—
“(f) ensure all relevant public officials can safely disclose information to an
inquiry, investigation or inquest.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment requires public authorities or officials who assisting an inquiry, investigation or
inquest to demonstrate that they have taken steps to ensure relevant persons can safely disclose
information relevant to an investigation.
_18 Seamus Logan
. Clause 2, page 2, line 39, at end insert—
“(4A) Where a public authority or public official is under an obligation to respond
to or assist an inquiry or investigation under subsection (4) they should do so
within 30 working days.”
_19 Seamus Logan
. Clause 2, page 3, line 6, after “expeditiously” insert “and within 30 working days”
_35 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Schedule 1, page 25, line 23, leave out from “direction” to the end of the sub-paragraph and
insert “should be given to a public official working for an intelligence service or the head of
such a service pursuant to section 2(4) and section 2(5) of the Public Office (Accountability)
Act 2025 as applicable to any other public authority, but may not be given to any other public
official if it would require the official to provide information relating to security or intelligence,
within the meaning of section 1(9) of the Official Secrets Act 1989, and any such public official
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 2

is not required to provide any such information in response to a direction given in breach of
this sub-paragraph.”
Member's explanatory statement
See Amendment 38.
_3 Dr Kieran Mullan
. Schedule 1, page 26, line 30, at end insert—
“(1A) Inquiries under subsection (1) include those designated by the Secretary of
State as local inquiries into grooming gangs.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment would apply the Duty of Candour to the five local grooming gangs’ inquiries
announced by the Government and any further ones established.
_Gov_6 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 1, page 27, line 29, after “applies” insert “by virtue of this paragraph”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment is consequential on amendment 7.
_36 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Schedule 1, page 28, line 38, leave out from “direction” to the end of the sub-paragraph and
insert “should be given to a public official working for an intelligence service or the head of
such a service pursuant to section 2(4) and section 2(5) of the Public Office (Accountability)
Act 2025 as applicable to any other public authority, but may not be given to any other public
official if it would require the official to provide information relating to security or intelligence,
within the meaning of section 1(9) of the Official Secrets Act 1989, and any such public official
is not required to provide any such information in response to a direction given in breach of
this sub-paragraph.”
Member's explanatory statement
See Amendment 38.
3 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

_1 Yasmin Qureshi
Tessa Munt
Jess Brown-Fuller
Ed Davey
Perran Moon
Esther McVey
Neil Duncan-JordanMaria EagleMarie Goldman
Mrs Elsie Blundell
. Schedule 1, page 29, line 9, after “an inquiry” insert “, independent panel or review established
by a Minister”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment ensures that the statutory duty of candour and assistance extends automatically
to independent panels and reviews established by Ministers of the Crown.
_Gov_7 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 1, page 30, line 18, at end insert—
“PART 2A
LOCAL AUTHORITY INQUIRIES
3A This paragraph applies where— (1)
(a) a local authority in England has caused an inquiry (however described)
to be established,
(b) the terms of reference of the inquiry do not require it to determine
any fact, or make any recommendation, that is not wholly or primarily
concerned with a local authority matter,
(c) the inquiry’s functions include the delivery of a report to the authority
with a view to its publication, and
(d) the authority has given written confirmation to the person leading
the inquiry (“the chair”) that it appears to the authority that the
inquiry is established in connection with an event or series of events
in respect of which the condition in sub-paragraph (2) is met.
(2) The condition is that the event (or series of events) caused, or created a
significant risk of causing—
(a) death or serious physical or psychological harm, or
(b) substantial economic loss to one or more persons as a result of
conduct involving dishonesty, impropriety or a serious breach of
ethical or professional standards.
(3) As soon as reasonably practicable after the start of the inquiry, the chair
must (subject to sub-paragraph (11)) give a compliance direction—
(a) to a public authority or public official, or
(b) to a person who had a relevant public responsibility in connection
with an incident to which the inquiry relates,
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 4

if it appears to the chair that the person’s acts are or may be relevant to the
inquiry or that they otherwise have information likely to be relevant.
(4) Sub-paragraph (3) does not limit the power of the chair to give a compliance
direction at any other time during the course of the inquiry.
(5) Where a compliance direction is given to a public authority or body within
sub-paragraph (3)(b), a compliance direction must also be given to the
individual appearing to the chair to be in charge of that authority or body.
(6) A “compliance direction” is a direction to comply with the obligations under
the duty of candour and assistance imposed by—
(a) section 2(4), and
(b) in the case of a direction given to an individual under sub-paragraph
(5), section 2(5).
(7) A compliance direction—
(a) must be given in writing;
(b) must set out the terms of reference of the inquiry;
(c) may specify particular requirements to be complied with (and for
that purpose may specify the form and manner in which, and the
period within which, those requirements are to be complied with);
(d) may be varied, supplemented or revoked by the giving of a further
direction.
(8) In determining the objectives of the inquiry for the purposes of complying
with the duty of candour and assistance under section 2(4), regard is to be
had (in particular) to the terms of reference as set out in the compliance
direction.
(9) The reference to a report in sub-paragraph (1)(c) is to a report that sets out—
(a) the facts determined by the chair, and
(b) the recommendations of the chair (where the purposes of the inquiry
include the making of recommendations).
(10) The provisions of the Inquiries Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”) listed in the first
column of the Table apply, to the extent specified in the corresponding entry
in the second column, to an inquiry in relation to which the duty of candour
and assistance applies by virtue of this paragraph as they apply to an inquiry
under the 2005 Act—
Extent of application Provision of 2005 Act
Apply only in relation to procedure and
conduct of inquiry so far as relating to
Section 17(1) and (2)
(evidence and procedure)
requirements imposed under the duty of
candour and assistance
Apply only in relation to restrictions imposed
in respect of evidence etc given in compliance
with the duty of candour and assistance
Sections 19 and 20
(restrictions on public access
etc)
5 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

Extent of application Provision of 2005 Act
Apply to a compliance direction as they apply
to a notice under section 21 of the 2005 Act
Section 21(3) to (5)
(contents of, and challenges
to, notices)
Applies in respect of evidence etc given under
the duty of candour and assistance as it
Section 22(1) (privileged
information etc)
applies to evidence etc given under section
21 of the 2005 Act
Applies only in relation to evidence or
documents that would otherwise be required
Section 22(2) (public interest
immunity)
to be produced under the duty of candour
and assistance
Applies to a failure to comply etc with a
compliance direction as it applies to a failure
Section 36 (enforcement by
High Court or Court of
Session) etc to comply with a notice under section 21
of the 2005 Act.
(11) A compliance direction—
(a) may be given only—
(i) in respect of evidence, documents or other things that are
wholly or primarily concerned with a local authority matter,
or
(ii) for the purpose of inquiring into something that is wholly or
primarily a local authority matter;
(b) may not be given so as to require any evidence, document or other
thing to be given, produced or provided by or on behalf of His
Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, the Scottish Ministers,
the Welsh Ministers or a Northern Ireland Minister (including the
First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly);
(c) may not be given to a public official if it would require the official
to provide information relating to security or intelligence, within the
meaning given by section 1(9) of the Official Secrets Act 1989, and a
public official is not required to provide any such information in
response to a direction given in breach of this prohibition (but this
paragraph otherwise applies to an intelligence service as it applies
to other public authorities).
(12) A person ceases to be subject to the duty of candour and assistance when
the inquiry to which it relates comes to an end.
(13) In determining when an inquiry established by a local authority comes to
an end for the purposes of sub-paragraph (12), section 14 of the Inquiries
Act 2005 applies as it applies to an inquiry under that Act as if—
(a) references in that section to the Minister were to the authority, and
(b) subsection (4)(b) of that section were omitted.
(14) In this paragraph—
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 6

(a) references to a local authority in England do not include a parish
council;
(b) references to a “local authority matter”, in relation to a local
authority, are to any matter—
(i) which relates to the area of the authority, and
(ii) in respect of which the authority exercises functions;
(c) “terms of reference”, in relation to an inquiry established by a local
authority, means—
(i) the matters to which the inquiry relates;
(ii) any particular matters as to which the chair is to determine
the facts;
(iii) whether the chair is to make recommendations;
(iv) any other matters relating to the scope of the inquiry that the
local authority may specify;
(d) the reference to a person who had a relevant public responsibility in
connection with an incident is to be read in accordance with section
4.
(15) Paragraph 3 applies to a compliance direction given under this paragraph
as it applies to a compliance direction given under paragraph 2.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment extends the duty of candour and assistance, and the related power to give
compliance directions, so as to include certain local authority inquiries in England.
_Gov_8 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 1, page 30, line 33, after “of the” insert “senior”
Member's explanatory statement
This is a drafting refinement.
_Gov_9 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 1, page 30, line 38, after “to the” insert “senior”
Member's explanatory statement
This is a drafting refinement.
_37 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Schedule 1, page 31, line 34, leave out from “direction” to the end of the sub-paragraph and
insert “should be given to a public official working for an intelligence service or the head of
7 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

such a service pursuant to section 2(4) and section 2(5) of the Public Office (Accountability)
Act 2025 as applicable to any other public authority, but may not be given to any other public
official if it would require the official to provide information relating to security or intelligence,
within the meaning of section 1(9) of the Official Secrets Act 1989, and any such public official
is not required to provide any such information in response to a direction given in breach of
this sub-paragraph.”
Member's explanatory statement
See Amendment 38.
_Gov_10 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 1, page 32, line 1, leave out “Schedule” and insert “paragraph”
Member's explanatory statement
This is a drafting refinement.
_38 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Schedule 1, page 34, line 15, leave out from “direction” to the end of the sub-paragraph and
insert “should be given to a public official working for an intelligence service or the head of
such a service pursuant to section 2(4) and section 2(5) of the Public Office (Accountability)
Act 2025 as applicable to any other public authority, but may not be given to any other public
official if it would require the official to provide information relating to security or intelligence,
within the meaning of section 1(9) of the Official Secrets Act 1989, and any such public official
is not required to provide any such information in response to a direction given in breach of
this sub-paragraph.”
Member's explanatory statement
Amendments 35 to 38 would extend the application of the duty of candour and assistance to the
intelligence services but would disapply it to individual officers.
_20 Seamus Logan
. Clause 3, page 3, line 19, leave out “as soon as reasonably practicable” and insert “within 30
working days”
_29 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 4, page 4, line 19, after “authority” insert “or any sub-contractor in any chain of
provision to a service provider”
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 8

Member's explanatory statement
This amendment ensures that any person involved in providing a service to a service provider which
was subcontracted will fall under the duty to comply with the duty of candour and assistance to an
inquiry or investigation.
_54 Ian Byrne
. Clause 5, page 5, line 18, after “objectives” insert “or are reckless as to whether it will do
so,”
_27 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 5, page 5, line 21, at end insert—
“(1A) If an offence under this section is proved to have been committed with the
consent or connivance of—
(a) a senior officer of a public authority, or
(b) a senior officer of a body corporate with relevant public responsibility
under section 4 of this Act, or
(c) a person purporting to act in such a capacity,
the senior officer or person (as well as the public authority or body corporate)
is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished
accordingly.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment would hold senior officers liable for the offence of failing to comply with the duty
of candour and assistance if it is proved that they consented or connived in that failure.
_33 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 5, page 5, line 21, at end insert—
“(1A) Where an offence under this section is committed by—
(a) a public authority, or
(b) a body corporate with relevant public responsibility under section 4 of
this Act,
the chief officer or chief executive (as well as the public authority or body
corporate) is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and
punished accordingly.”
9 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

Member's explanatory statement
This amendment would place a personal responsibility on the chief officer or chief executive of a
public authority or a corporate body with public responsibility under Clause 4 for an offence of
failing to comply with the duty of candour and assistance.
_44 Ian Byrne
. Clause 5, page 5, line 21, at end insert—
“(1A) Where the duty falls on a public authority or other body, responsibility for the
discharge of that duty falls on the Chief Officer or Chief Executive for the
purposes of this section.”
_21 Seamus Logan
. Clause 6, page 6, line 3, at end insert—
“(2A) Where an obligation to give notification would have arisen under section 2(3),
save for the exemptions in subsection (2), the head of the relevant intelligence
service must provide a written notification to the Intelligence and Security
Committee of the UK Parliament summarising the acts that may be relevant
to an inquiry or investigation.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment aims to provide accountability for intelligence services and their operations in
relation to the duty of candour and its exemptions from them.
_Gov_4 Alex Davies-Jones
. Clause 8, page 6, line 32, at end insert “, or
(c) an inquiry to which paragraph 3A of that Schedule applies (local
authority inquiries);”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment is consequential on amendment 7.
_46 Ian Byrne
. Clause 9, page 7, line 22, after “must” insert “take all reasonable steps to”
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 10

_49 Ian Byrne
. Clause 9, page 7, line 38, at end insert—
“(d) consult with representatives of recognised trade unions to promote
co-operation in the making and maintenance of the code and in
checking its effectiveness.”
_47 Ian Byrne
. Clause 9, page 8, line 1, leave out “set expectations” and insert “require”
_48 Ian Byrne
. Clause 9, page 8, line 1, leave out “should” and insert “must”
_43 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 9, page 8, line 2, after “work” insert “including the retention and disclosure of digital
records including messages relevant to their public functions”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment ensures that digital messages and records are added to the duty of candour in
relation to inquiries and inquests.
_24 Seamus Logan
. Clause 9, page 8, line 12, leave out “may” insert “must”
_50 Ian Byrne
. Clause 9, page 8, line 15, leave out subsection and insert—
“(b) the making by any person of disclosures which are protected disclosures
in terms of section 43B of the Employment Rights Act 1996 or which
would be such disclosures had they been made by a worker or employee,
including information about any policies the authority has adopted in
relation to the making of such disclosures;
(ba) the affording of enhanced protection to any persons making disclosures
under paragraphs (a) or (b), including policies ensuring that those
persons are not subjected to bullying, harassment or any other form of
detriment in relation to the making of such disclosure;”
11 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

_26 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 9, page 8, line 17, after “disclosures” insert “and to whom such disclosures should be
made;
(ba) how a person making a protected disclosure under paragraph (b) is
protected;
(bb) a list of prescribed people and bodies to whom a potential whistleblower
may speak to in confidence about a relevant concern.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment would require that a public authority’s code of ethical conduct includes information
on whom a person can make a protected disclosure to and how that person would be protected.
_22 Seamus Logan
. Clause 9, page 8, line 17, at end insert—
“(ba) the affording of enhanced protection to any persons making disclosures
under paragraphs (a) or (b), including policies ensuring that persons
are not subjected to bullying, harassment or any other form of detriment
in relation to the making of such disclosure”
_28 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 9, page 8, line 22, leave out subsection (6) and insert—
“(6) The Secretary of State must introduce a standard template for ethical conduct
of conduct for completion by public authorities which satisfies the requirements
in this section and which may be added to by public authorities to include
information specific to their organisation or function.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment would require the Secretary of State to introduce standard template to ensure a
consistent and high standard approach to completion of code of ethical conduct documentation
across public authorities.
_25 Seamus Logan
. Clause 9, page 8, line 25, leave out “may” insert “must”
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 12

_23 Seamus Logan
. Clause 9, page 9, line 5, at end insert—
“(13) The Secretary of State must ensure appropriate and adequate funding is
provided to enable public authorities to train public officials so that they are
aware of the standards contained within the code of conduct relating to them.”
_39 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Schedule 2, page 41, line 14, at end insert—
“(ja) the intelligence services, or”
_55 Ian Byrne
. Schedule 2, page 41, line 32, leave out “or by the holder of a particular office”
_59 Ian Byrne
. Schedule 2, page 42, line 32, leave out lines 32 and 33
_60 Ian Byrne
. Schedule 2, page 42, line 38, leave out sub-paragraph (7)
_40 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Schedule 2, page 43, line 31, at end insert—
“(ia) the intelligence services, or”
Member's explanatory statement
Amendments 39 and 40 would add the intelligence services to the lists of public authorities in
Schedule 2 for the purpose of defining “public authority” in relation to this Bill.
_34 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
13 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

. Clause 11, page 9, line 24, at end insert—
“(1A) Where an offence under this section is committed by a public authority, the
chief officer or chief executive (as well as the public authority) is guilty of the
offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment would place a personal responsibility on the chief officer or chief executive of a
public authority for an offence of misleading the public.
_45 Ian Byrne
. Clause 11, page 9, line 24, at end insert—
“(1A) Where the act or statement is made by or in the name of the public authority,
responsibility for it lies on the Chief Officer or Chief Executive for the purposes
of this section”
_51 Ian Byrne
. Clause 11, page 9, line 33, leave out paragraph (b)
_30 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 11, page 10, line 4, leave out paragraph (b)
_Gov_5 Alex Davies-Jones
. Clause 11, page 10, line 4, at end insert “by—
(i) a recognised news publisher, within the meaning of Part 3 of
the Online Safety Act 2023 (see section 56 of that Act), or
(ii) a person in the course of working for such a publisher.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment clarifies that the journalism exemption from the offence of misleading the public
only applies to media entities and those that work for them.
_52 Ian Byrne
. Clause 11, page 10, leave out lines 28 and 29
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 14

_53 Ian Byrne
. Clause 11, page 10, line 33, at end insert—
““journalism” means articles for media outlets and news sites. It does not extend
to press statements,commentary and social media posts.”
_2 Dr Kieran Mullan
. Clause 11, page 10, line 35, at end insert—
“(10) A prosecution for an offence under this section shall not be instituted except
by or with the consent of the Director for Public Prosecutions.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment requires the Director of Public Prosecutions to consent to the prosecution of anyone
for the offence of misleading the public.
_56 Ian Byrne
. Schedule 3, page 44, line 27, after “national,” insert “or”
_57 Ian Byrne
. Schedule 3, page 44, line 31, after “section 5” insert “or section 11”
_58 Ian Byrne
. Schedule 4, page 46, leave out lines 33 to 37
_Gov_11 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 4, page 48, line 24, at end insert—
“14A A member of the Parole Board (see section 239 of the Criminal Justice Act
2003).”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment adds members of the Parole Board to the list of holders of public office for the
purposes of Part 3 of the Bill.
_Gov_12 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 4, page 49, line 4, after “Coroner” insert “or a Deputy Chief Coroner”
15 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

Member's explanatory statement
This amendment adds Deputy Chief Coroners appointed under Schedule 8 to the Coroners and Justice
Act 2009 to the list of holders of public office for the purposes of Part 3 of the Bill.
_Gov_13 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 4, page 50, line 8, at end insert—
“(3A) Whether a function is of a public nature for the purposes of sub-paragraph
(1)(b) is a question of law.
(3B) In determining that question, the judge must—
(a) make any necessary findings of fact, and
(b) have regard (among other matters) to whether the function meets
a responsibility of government such that the public or a section of
the public (beyond persons directly affected by the exercise of the
function) have a significant interest in its exercise.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment makes provision about the determination of whether, for the purposes of paragraph
21 of Schedule 4 to the Bill, a function exercised by a person is of a public nature.
_Gov_14 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 6, page 54, line 2, leave out from “paragraph” to “and” in line 3 and insert
“(d) insert—
“(e) the matters reported under paragraph 7A of that Schedule””
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment is consequential on amendments 16 and 17.
_Gov_15 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 6, page 55, line 24, leave out “2A and 7” and insert “7 and 7A”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment is consequential on amendments 16 and 17.
_Gov_16 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 6, page 56, line 1, leave out “2” and insert “7”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment, together with amendment 17, relocates the position in which a new paragraph
of Schedule 5 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 is inserted.
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 16

_Gov_17 Alex Davies-Jones
. Schedule 6, page 56, line 3, leave out “2A” and insert “7A”
Member's explanatory statement
See the explanatory statement for amendment 16.
_NC1 Maria Eagle
. To move the following Clause—
“Post-legislative assessment of the legal duty of candour for public authorities
and public officials
(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, publish
a report into—
(a) the impact of the Act’s provisions on increasing public confidence that
public authorities’ internal processes are fit for purpose in identifying
and investigating failures when they first arise following a major
incident.
(b) the role of the standing public advocate in assessing public authorities’
responses to affected individuals and relatives of bereaved victims
following a major incident or where there is a major public concern
that public authorities may not be acting in the best interests of those
affected by a major incident.
(2) The report must assess—
(a) extending the public advocate’s powers to facilitate the gathering of
information from those people affected by a major incident to support
official inquiries and investigations to help ensure that all public
authorities and officials are acting in accordance with the duty of
candour set out in this Act.
(b) the case for facilitating a mechanism whereby the public advocate can
instigate an independent panel to collate evidence and information
following a major incident to support the oversight of public authorities
and officials’ responses to major incidents.
(c) the costs of establishing independent panels as compared to
non-statutory inquiries, or statutory inquiries under the Inquiries Act
2005 in line with paragraph (b).
(3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the Report before Parliament.”
17 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

_NC2 Dr Kieran Mullan
. To move the following Clause—
“Public interest
(1) Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must define
in regulations what constitutes the “public interest” for the purposes of—
(a) Section 1(1)(a),
(b) Schedule 1(8)(b).
(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may not be made until a draft has been
approved by both Houses.”
Member's explanatory statement
This new clause would require the Secretary of State to define public interest for the purposes of
this Act by regulations.
_NC3 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. To move the following Clause—
“Offence of wilfully destroying information or records relevant to an inquiry
or investigation
(1) A public authority or public official commits an offence if—
(a) they deliberately destroy relevant information or records relevant to
an inquiry, investigation, or inquest;
(b) they know that, or are reckless as to whether, the information is relevant
to or required by an inquiry, investigation, or inquest.
(2) A public official who commits an offence under this section is liable—
(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or a fine
(or both);
(b) on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum
(or both);
(c) on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum
(or both);
(d) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years or a fine (or both).”
Member's explanatory statement
This new clause introduces an offence for wilfully destroying relevant records after a major incident
that may lead to an inquiry or inquest.
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 18

_NC4 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. To move the following Clause—
“Monitoring compliance with duties under the Act
(1) The Secretary of State must commission and publish annually an independent
report which monitors public authorities’ compliance with their duties under
the Act.
(2) The report must assess—
(a) public authorities’ record-keeping, disclosures and responses to inquiries
and investigations;
(b) the effectiveness of enforcement and sanctions provisions in the Act in
helping to ensure that public authorities and public officials perform
their functions in line with the duty of candour in their dealings with
inquiries and investigations; and
(c) the effectiveness of the provisions in the Act for supporting persons,
including public officials, making protected disclosures and for reporting
wrongdoings to an inquiry or investigation following a major incident.
(3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of each report before both Houses of
Parliament.
(4) The first report must be laid within the period of 12 months of the passing of
this Act.
(5) Each subsequent report must be laid annually beginning with the day on which
the previous report was laid.”
Member's explanatory statement
This new clause requires the Secretary of State to commission and publish annually an independent
report with the purpose of providing an oversight mechanism to monitor compliance with duties
under the Act.
_NC5 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. To move the following Clause—
“Conduct of public authorities and access to legal aid for seriously injured
survivors who are participating in inquests or inquiries
(1) Legal aid must be made available, without a means test, to seriously injured
survivors who are participating in inquests or inquiries where there are
reasonable grounds for believing the matter under investigation relates to the
conduct of public authorities tasked with carrying out public functions, or
19 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

public officials working for bodies in a public capacity, in connection with the
discharge of their public duties.
(2) The Secretary of State must, within three months of the Act receiving Royal
Assent, make regulations to—
(a) add civil legal services to Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Legal Aid,
Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 in connection with
proceedings relating to seriously injured survivors who are participating
in inquests or inquiries as under subsection (1);
(b) amend the Civil Legal Aid (Merits Criteria) Regulations 2013 (S.I.
2013/104) for the purposes of providing criteria for a determination for
legal representation in respect of cases under subsection (1).
(3) This section comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.”
Member's explanatory statement
This new clause would extend civil legal aid to seriously injured survivors who are participating in
inquests or inquiries where the conduct of public bodies or public officials is in question.
_41 Jess Brown-Fuller
Tom Morrison
Tessa Munt
. Clause 25, page 22, line 23, leave out subsections (1) to (8) and insert—
“This Act shall come into force on Royal Assent, save for sections 9, 10 and 18,
which will come into force six months thereafter.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment clarifies that the Act should come into force straightaway except for those sections
which require the provision of codes or guidance.
Order of the House
[3 November 2025]
That the following provisions shall apply to the Public Office (Accountability) Bill:
Committal
1. The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.
Proceedings in Public Bill Committee
2. Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded)
be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 11 December 2025.
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 20

3. The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it
meets.
Consideration and Third Reading
4. Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought
to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which
those proceedings are commenced.
5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought
to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.
6. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings
on Consideration and Third Reading.
Other proceedings
7. Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.
Order of the Committee
[27 November 2025]
That—
1. the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 11.30 am on Thursday 27
November) meet—
(a) at 2.00 pm on Thursday 27 November;
(b) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 2 December;
(c) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 4 December;
(d) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 9 December;
(e) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 11 December;
2. the Committee shall hear oral evidence in accordance with the following Table:
Witness Time Date
Hillsborough Law Now Until no later than Thursday 27 November
12:00 pm
The Law Commission; Crown
Prosecution Service
Until no later than
12:30 pm
Thursday 27 November
Margaret Aspinall; Charlotte
Hennessy; Steve Kelly; Sue
Roberts
Until no later than
1:00 pm
Thursday 27 November
21 COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025

Witness Time Date
INQUEST; Professor Julia Waters Until no later than Thursday 27 November
2:25 pm
Lord Evans of Weardale Until no later than Thursday 27 November
2:45 pm
Hilda Hammond; Jenni Hicks Until no later than Thursday 27 November
3:10 pm
Grenfell United Until no later than Thursday 27 November
3:30 pm
National Police Chiefs’ Council Until no later than Thursday 27 November
3:50 pm
The Law Society; LAPG, the
Legal Aid Practitioners Group
Until no later than
4:15 pm
Thursday 27 November
The Chief Coroner of England
and Wales
Until no later than
4:35 pm
Thursday 27 November
The Independent Public
Advocate
Until no later than
4:55 pm
Thursday 27 November
Care Quality Commission; NHS
Resolution; NHS England
Until no later than
5:30 pm
Thursday 27 November
Flora Page KC; Whistleblowers
UK; Second Sight; Hacked Off
Until no later than
6:05 pm
Thursday 27 November
Mayor of the Liverpool City
Region Combined Authority;
Until no later than
6:30 pm
Thursday 27 November
Mayor of the Greater
Manchester Combined Authority
Daniel De Simone Until no later than Thursday 27 November
6:50 pm
3. proceedings on consideration of the Bill in Committee shall be taken in the
following order: Clauses 1 and 2; Schedule 1; Clauses 3 to 9; Schedule 2; Clauses
10 and 11; Schedule 3; Clauses 12 to 15; Schedule 4; Clauses 16 and 17; Schedule
5; Clause 18; Schedule 6; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on
the Bill;
4. the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion
at 5.00 pm on Thursday 11 December.
COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 2 December 2025 22