Latest news with #NorthernIrelandTroubles
Irish Times
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the Legacy Act: repeal plans hit a roadblock
The British government's plan to repeal the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act has run into a predictable roadblock in the form of backbench MPs who represent important constituencies with significant numbers of former soldiers. The backbenchers have threatened to vote against the repeal legislation being brought forward by Hilary Benn, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, because of concerns that it would leave former members of the security forces at risk of being pursued over actions taken while serving in Northern Ireland. The UK's veterans minister, Alistair Carns, has said he will resign if it is passed. The exposure of former and current service personal – and by extension the British state – was uppermost in the mind of the Conservative government when it brought in the Legacy Act in September 2023, despite the opposition of all political parties in Northern Ireland. The act put an end to any civil actions and independent inquests into Troubles-related deaths. It offered an alternative route by which victims and their families could seek answers. An independent information recovery body – the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery – was established and given the power to grants amnesties to those who cooperated with it. This would have offered former security force personnel and other participants protection. READ MORE This power to grant amnesties was subsequently found by the British courts to be incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and the British government's commitments under the Windsor Framework, agreed with the EU as part of the Brexit process. Labour committed to repealing the Legacy Act in its election manifesto and Benn initiated the process last December by announcing legislation to remove the conditional immunity clause from the act and also allow new civil actions and inquests to proceed. Cross party opposition to Benn's plans coalesced around a parliamentary petition instigated by a former British Army officer which has garnered close to 180,000 signatures, triggering a heated debate in the House of Commons last week. British prime minster Kier Starmer is still licking his wounds after his backbenchers forced a climb-down over welfare reforms. He may well be tempted to long finger the Legacy Act reforms. The contradictory stance of some Unionist politicians may well give him some cover. Having opposed the Legacy Act, they are now opposing its repeal over fears that members of the security forces could be prosecuted. The Taoiseach is due to discuss the issues with the British prime minister, but it remains to be seen whether Starmer has the stomach to face down his backbenchers over the issue.
South Wales Guardian
18-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Starmer holds ‘constructive' call with Taoiseach on Troubles legacy plans
In a phone call with Taoiseach Micheal Martin, the Prime Minister had what Downing Street described as a 'constructive discussion' on dealing with the legacy of the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland. A Number 10 spokesperson said the two men had 'underscored the importance of a way forward that built consensus', before turning to economic issues and the UK-EU relationship. Mr Martin himself echoed Downing Street's comments, tweeting that he had had a 'constructive discussion with British PM Keir Starmer today on a framework for dealing with legacy'. The call came as Sir Keir faces pressure from some of his own backbenchers over plans to repeal and replace legislation passed by the previous government that halted investigations into all but the most serious allegations involving Troubles-related cases. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act has been criticised by human rights campaigners for granting conditional immunity to suspects. That provision was ruled incompatible with human rights laws by the Northern Irish courts, prompting Labour to commit to replacing legislation it described as 'flawed and failed'. But that proposal has brought condemnation from former British soldiers who fear it will open the way to vexatious prosecutions and civil claims. Opponents are also reported to include some Labour MPs, including veterans minister Al Carns. A former Royal Marine and special forces officer, Mr Carns was reported by The Times to be considering resigning over plans to repeal the Legacy Act. But earlier in the week, Downing Street said the Government was 'working in lockstep' on the issue. A Ministry of Defence source also played down the prospect of Mr Carns quitting, but told the PA news agency it was a 'tricky issue' and 'when you are making policy there is always going to be debate internally'.
Rhyl Journal
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Starmer holds ‘constructive' call with Taoiseach on Troubles legacy plans
In a phone call with Taoiseach Micheal Martin, the Prime Minister had what Downing Street described as a 'constructive discussion' on dealing with the legacy of the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland. A Number 10 spokesperson said the two men had 'underscored the importance of a way forward that built consensus', before turning to economic issues and the UK-EU relationship. Mr Martin himself echoed Downing Street's comments, tweeting that he had had a 'constructive discussion with British PM Keir Starmer today on a framework for dealing with legacy'. The call came as Sir Keir faces pressure from some of his own backbenchers over plans to repeal and replace legislation passed by the previous government that halted investigations into all but the most serious allegations involving Troubles-related cases. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act has been criticised by human rights campaigners for granting conditional immunity to suspects. That provision was ruled incompatible with human rights laws by the Northern Irish courts, prompting Labour to commit to replacing legislation it described as 'flawed and failed'. But that proposal has brought condemnation from former British soldiers who fear it will open the way to vexatious prosecutions and civil claims. Opponents are also reported to include some Labour MPs, including veterans minister Al Carns. A former Royal Marine and special forces officer, Mr Carns was reported by The Times to be considering resigning over plans to repeal the Legacy Act. But earlier in the week, Downing Street said the Government was 'working in lockstep' on the issue. A Ministry of Defence source also played down the prospect of Mr Carns quitting, but told the PA news agency it was a 'tricky issue' and 'when you are making policy there is always going to be debate internally'.
South Wales Argus
18-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Starmer holds ‘constructive' call with Taoiseach on Troubles legacy plans
In a phone call with Taoiseach Micheal Martin, the Prime Minister had what Downing Street described as a 'constructive discussion' on dealing with the legacy of the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland. A Number 10 spokesperson said the two men had 'underscored the importance of a way forward that built consensus', before turning to economic issues and the UK-EU relationship. Mr Martin himself echoed Downing Street's comments, tweeting that he had had a 'constructive discussion with British PM Keir Starmer today on a framework for dealing with legacy'. The call came as Sir Keir faces pressure from some of his own backbenchers over plans to repeal and replace legislation passed by the previous government that halted investigations into all but the most serious allegations involving Troubles-related cases. Downing Street and the Taoiseach described the conversation as 'constructive' (Peter Byrne/PA) The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act has been criticised by human rights campaigners for granting conditional immunity to suspects. That provision was ruled incompatible with human rights laws by the Northern Irish courts, prompting Labour to commit to replacing legislation it described as 'flawed and failed'. But that proposal has brought condemnation from former British soldiers who fear it will open the way to vexatious prosecutions and civil claims. Opponents are also reported to include some Labour MPs, including veterans minister Al Carns. A former Royal Marine and special forces officer, Mr Carns was reported by The Times to be considering resigning over plans to repeal the Legacy Act. But earlier in the week, Downing Street said the Government was 'working in lockstep' on the issue. A Ministry of Defence source also played down the prospect of Mr Carns quitting, but told the PA news agency it was a 'tricky issue' and 'when you are making policy there is always going to be debate internally'.
North Wales Chronicle
18-07-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Starmer holds ‘constructive' call with Taoiseach on Troubles legacy plans
In a phone call with Taoiseach Micheal Martin, the Prime Minister had what Downing Street described as a 'constructive discussion' on dealing with the legacy of the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland. A Number 10 spokesperson said the two men had 'underscored the importance of a way forward that built consensus', before turning to economic issues and the UK-EU relationship. Mr Martin himself echoed Downing Street's comments, tweeting that he had had a 'constructive discussion with British PM Keir Starmer today on a framework for dealing with legacy'. The call came as Sir Keir faces pressure from some of his own backbenchers over plans to repeal and replace legislation passed by the previous government that halted investigations into all but the most serious allegations involving Troubles-related cases. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act has been criticised by human rights campaigners for granting conditional immunity to suspects. That provision was ruled incompatible with human rights laws by the Northern Irish courts, prompting Labour to commit to replacing legislation it described as 'flawed and failed'. But that proposal has brought condemnation from former British soldiers who fear it will open the way to vexatious prosecutions and civil claims. Opponents are also reported to include some Labour MPs, including veterans minister Al Carns. A former Royal Marine and special forces officer, Mr Carns was reported by The Times to be considering resigning over plans to repeal the Legacy Act. But earlier in the week, Downing Street said the Government was 'working in lockstep' on the issue. A Ministry of Defence source also played down the prospect of Mr Carns quitting, but told the PA news agency it was a 'tricky issue' and 'when you are making policy there is always going to be debate internally'.
