The Labour government’s repeal of the Legacy Act has been criticised for “falling short” of promises.
Secretary of State Hilary Benn began the process to formally repeal the Act on Wednesday.
Brought in by the Conservative government, it banned inquests and civil actions related to incidents during the Troubles.
It was strongly opposed by all parties in Northern Ireland, victims’ groups, and the Irish Government.
The recent move by Mr Benn will see the removal of conditional immunity, the reinstatement of legacy inquests halted by the Act and restoration of civil cases.
It will also see a reform of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) while enabling it to continue working on behalf of families who have already sought its help.
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said it falls short of Labour’s commitment to “repeal and replace” the Act by returning to the “principles of the Stormont House Agreement” (SHA).
Introduced in 2014, the SHA dealt with a number of issues, including the legacy of the Troubles.
Mr Finucane said that instead of repealing the Act, the Secretary of State had “focused on reforming” the ICRIR which he said has “been rejected by victims and families and the political parties”.
He added: “Disappointingly, he intends to appeal recent judgements in relation to the British Secretary of State’s ability to vet and redact family reports prior to their disclosure under national security. This is absolutely outrageous and disgraceful.
“It is essential in any democracy that judicial processes are free to carry out their duties independently, free from state interference.”
Mr Finucane called on the Government to work with “all families, the Irish Government and the political parties” on a way forward to bringing back the “principles and mechanisms agreed” in the SHA.
In a lengthy statement, former UUP leader Doug Beattie said that the SHA “is not the solution to legacy issues” but added that the Secretary of State’s power to redact information was a “sticking point”.
Mr Beattie said: “The main sticking point seems to be that the Secretary of State will have the power to redact information from reports, post investigation, that may threaten national security.
“Many would see this as fundamental to the security of the United Kingdom while some will see it as an attempt to keep information from families. Both groups can’t be right it would seem, yet both are right in some way.”
Mr Beattie referenced recent reports that information failed to reach Operation Kenova during the investigation stage, which it is alleged may have affected the PPS decision not to prosecute anyone.
He added: “These failings are something the Ulster Unionist Party have raised since the days of the SHA which, as a party, we never supported.
“Our alternatives, which would see the PSNI legacy investigation branch resourced fully, and the PPS funded to establish a dedicated legacy arm to the service, are still as valid today as they were when we proposed them.”
Martina Dillon, whose husband Seamus Dillon was shot dead by loyalists in 1997 and is among the lead case of victims who took a legal challenge to the Troubles Act, said “the statement is a lot of spin”.
Mr Benn has said that primary legislation to restore inquests will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.
Ms Dillon said: “The Secretary of State said he would give us our inquests, so why is he not doing that now when the Court of Appeal has provided for it? The Secretary of State is wrong not to bring back inquests at the first opportunity.
“All I want are the answers I’m entitled to; I deserve the truth. The UK Government is telling us we’re getting our inquests back, but their actions don’t reflect that. My message to the Secretary of State is that we’ve waited long enough, everyone entitled to an inquest should have one.
“The decision to appeal to the Supreme Court is concerning, but we will continue to fight. We’ve won in the courts before, and we’ll do it again.”