Make it a crime for officials and institutions to knowingly lie to the UK public
Make it a criminal offence for public officials and institutions to knowingly lie or mislead the public in their official capacity. Create clear definitions, independent enforcement, and appropriate penalties such as fines, removal, or prosecution
Signatures
10
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 10/100,000
- 05 AUG 2025Petition rejectedduplicate
The following petition calls for a similar action: Make it a criminal offence to mislead or lie in public office https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712668
- 26 JUL 2025Petition created
Background
There is currently no law preventing public officials or institutions from knowingly lying to the public. This undermines democracy, damages trust, and allows misinformation to spread unchecked. Citizens are held accountable for dishonesty, those in power should be too. When officials knowingly mislead the public, it erodes confidence in government, weakens institutions, and harms unity. Truth in public life is essential. Intentional deception should carry legal consequences.