Written question asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. It was answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Southport Inquiry

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether disclosures to the Southport Inquiry by (1) the Department of Health and Social Care, (2) NHS England, and (3) Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, concerning "inappropriate accesses" to victim records satisfied the current text of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill.

Answer: The Public Office (Accountability) Bill is currently undergoing parliamentary scrutiny and has not yet been enacted into law. It is not the practice of the Government to comment on the potential application of legislation to specific current scenarios when it is currently before Parliament and has not yet been enacted. The Bill does not provide for the duty of candour to apply retrospectively. The Government remains committed to supporting the independent Southport Inquiry.

Secondary information