A Bill to set a requirement on public institutions, public servants and officials and on those carrying out functions on their behalf to act in the public interest and with candour and frankness; to define the public law duty on them to assist courts, official inquiries and investigations; to enable victims to enforce such duties; to create offences for the breach of certain duties; to provide funding for victims and their relatives in certain proceedings before the courts and at official inquiries and investigations; and for connected purposes;
House of Commons
Ian ByrneLabour (Co-op)
12 September 2025
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Public Authority (Accountability) Bill would require public bodies, their staff and others carrying out public functions to act in the public interest and with candour. It would set a public law duty to assist courts, official inquiries and investigations, and allow victims to enforce these duties. It would also create offences for breaches and provide funding for victims and their relatives in court and inquiry proceedings.
The Bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons. The first reading occurred on 2 July 2025 and the second reading was scheduled for 12 September 2025.
Generated 21 February 2026
2 Jul 2025
12 Sept 2025
Order for Second Reading on Friday 12 September 2025, read and discharged.
This is a Private Members' Bill and was introduced to Parliament on 2 July 2025 under the Ten Minute Rule.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
