King Charles has confirmed the new Labour government will go ahead with plans to “begin the process of repealing and replacing” the Northern Ireland Troubles Act passed last year under the Conservatives.
During the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament, King Charles III said: “In consultation with all parties, measures will be brought forward to begin the process of repealing and replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles Legacy and Reconciliation Act 2023.”
The King’s Speech, which is written by the government, outlines the new Labour government’s plans.
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, which came into effect last September, could offer potential immunities to those accused of killings during more than 30 years of sectarian violence.
It also brought a halt to civil litigation and inquests not completed by the cut-off date of May 1.
The Conservative government described the Act as an attempt to draw a line under Northern Ireland’s troubled past.
It involved the establishment of an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) where self-confessed perpetrators who fully cooperate with the legacy body may be offered immunity from prosecution.
The Act was met with widespread criticism from victims’ organisations, all of NI’s political parties and the Irish Government.
Reacting to the King’s Speech, the Pat Finucane Centre, which represents bereaved families, said it “looks forward to early discussions about repealing this repulsive Act”.
Relatives 4 Justice added: “This is encouraging. But families will be vigilant. Only human rights compliant investigations and measures will be acceptable to them.
“They have suffered repeated harms from repeated and deliberately failed processes.”
In February, the High Court ruled that the immunity provisions and ending of civil actions breaches the European Court of Human Rights.
Appealing those findings, counsel for the former Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris insisted it was a parliamentary-endorsed attempt to achieve reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
More to follow.