This week, the Government’s Troubles Bill passed through the House of Commons. This Bill repeals the shameful legacy of the Conservatives’ Legacy Act, which made false and undeliverable promises to veterans, leaving them in legal limbo. Its immunity scheme would have also enabled immunity for members of the IRA, UVF and other terrorist groups.
The previous Legacy Act was rejected by the courts, by all political parties in Northern Ireland, and by the very victims and families it was supposed to serve. The Act also shut down over 1,000 investigations, including over 200 into the deaths of UK service personnel. It failed veterans and bereaved families alike.
I was therefore pleased to support the Government’s strengthened and improved Bill this week, fulfilling our Labour government’s manifesto commitment to replace the Tories failed system with effective, lawful protections for veterans and give all bereaved families the greatest possible chance of finding answers. This is a vital – but as yet unfulfilled – component of the Good Friday Agreement, and one this government is committed to.
We have a responsibility to deal fairly and compassionately with the legacy of the Troubles, and this Labour Government has made it an absolute priority that we deliver on that responsibility.
The Government is committed to helping all affected families find answers and supporting reconciliation in Northern Ireland. This legislation seeks to achieve exactly that – providing victims, survivors and their families with answers, truth and accountability, while ensuring that veterans are treated fairly and protected from unnecessary or repeated investigations. We have been explicitly clear that these are not two competing objectives: a credible legacy system has to do both, under the same rule of law.
The proposed reforms will strengthen support for victims, survivors and their families through a Victims and Survivors Advisory Group, ensuring the needs and rights of victims, survivors and their families are fully considered.
Crucially, these measures will also remove the immunity scheme introduced by the previous Legacy Act. This means that no former paramilitaries or state actors who acted unlawfully will receive immunity, with prosecution arrangements applying equally to former soldiers, police officers and paramilitaries.
For survivors and victims’ families who have desperately been seeking truth and justice for decades, these reforms will make it easier for families to access information through a fairer and more open process, including unprecedented commitments from the Irish Government on information-sharing by Irish authorities with the Legacy Commission.
Importantly, all families will be able to obtain death certificates for their loved ones, helping them find answers and ensuring their loved ones are treated with dignity and respect.
These measures do not discount the service of our Armed Forces and all those who served in Operation Banner to protect life and defeat terrorism during the Troubles. I am grateful to those who served and appreciate that they did so at great personal risk and sacrifice. In return, they have the right to expect that the country will take care of them, during their service and beyond.
As part of this legislation, veterans will receive greater protections, including safeguards against unnecessary repeat investigations and recognition of the operational pressures, orders and intelligence shaping their decisions. The Commission will also consider older veterans’ health and wellbeing when deciding whether they should give evidence. These measures aim to ensure veterans are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve whilst ensuring justice can be delivered for those who suffered such significant trauma and loss.
Through reforming the Legacy Commission, improving access to evidence, strengthening oversight and removing immunity for unlawful acts, the Bill aims to restore confidence in legacy processes and ensure equality before the law.
Ultimately, we must take the opportunity we have to address the unresolved issues of the past, uphold the rights and dignity of all those affected, and support reconciliation and a more peaceful future for Northern Ireland.
As the Member of Parliament for Luton South and South Bedfordshire, I will continue to work with the Government to ensure that victims’ voices are heard, and protections for our veterans work in practice.