Government to Introduce Significant Changes to Troubles Legacy Law
The government plans to introduce a "substantial package of amendments" to the Troubles legacy legislation, according to the Northern Ireland secretary, Hilary Benn.
Benn stated that the proposed changes are "designed to improve the process" for victims and "further safeguard" veterans.
The bill was initially introduced at Westminster last year following an agreement on a joint framework with the Irish government. It seeks to repeal and replace the previous Conservative government's legislation, although some MPs have raised concerns about its content and the duration of its progress.
The secretary of state emphasized the "clear need" for Parliament to "have longer to scrutinise" the amendments.
Labour's bill aims to replace the controversial Legacy Act, which implemented a ban on inquests and civil actions related to incidents from the Troubles era.
Consultation and Proposed Structures
The new plan includes establishing a Legacy Commission to investigate Troubles-related killings, a separate information recovery body, and a dedicated legacy unit within An Garda Síochána (the Irish police).
The UK government has also proposed a package of protections for veterans.
However, some MPs, including those from Northern Ireland, argue that the measures are insufficient and seek to amend the bill to incorporate stronger legal protections.
In a written ministerial statement issued on Wednesday, the Northern Ireland secretary noted that the government had been "consulting widely" on the legislation.
"The result of these deliberations is that the government will bring forward a substantial package of amendments designed to improve the process for victims and families," Benn said.
"They will further safeguard our Operation Banner veterans and ensure oversight of their protections, and clearly differentiate between the role played during the Troubles by our brave security forces and the actions of paramilitary terrorists."
Benn added that due to the time required to finalize the amendments and the necessity for extended scrutiny by the House, the bill will be returned to the House early in the next session.
The secretary of state remarked that the safeguards included in the bill for former soldiers had been "broadly welcomed."
"It has been clear, however, that we must do more through the legislation to safeguard our veterans community," he said.
"It is vital that those who served the state, to whom we owe so much and to whom we have a particular duty of care, are able to have confidence in the legislation."
