Bill · started in the Commons

Public Office (Accountability) Bill

A Bill to Impose a duty on public authorities and public officials to act with candour, transparency and frankness; to make provision for the enforcement of that duty in their dealings with inquiries and investigations; to require public authorities to promote and take steps to maintain ethical conduct within all parts of the authority; to create an offence in relation to public authorities and public officials who mislead the public; to create further offences in relation to the misconduct of persons who hold public office and to abolish the common law offence of misconduct in public office; to make provision enabling persons to participate at inquiries and investigations where the conduct of public authorities may be in issue; and for connected purposes.

The story so farThe Public Office (Accountability) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 16 September 2025 by Mr David Lammy (Labour). It is now at second reading in the House of Lords. Second reading is the first debate on the overall principle of the bill; if the bill clears it, detailed committee scrutiny follows.

Sponsors

• Mr David Lammy Labour Primary sponsor
• Baroness Levitt Labour

Progress through Parliament

Votes on this bill

Recorded Commons divisions on this bill, in the order they happened. Each links to who voted which way.

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 21 Jul 2026.