Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Wednesday 15 October 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions discussed the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 on 2025-10-15
  • Dr Andrew Murrison questioned the Minister about defining "compelling reasons" to prevent opportunistic legal actions
  • Mr Paul Kohler inquired about the impact of ceasing ECHR signatory status on the Good Friday agreement and Northern Ireland's institutions

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire
Context

The Secretary of State previously stated that the new legacy commission will not relitigate previous investigations involving veterans unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This was reinforced in clause 30 of the Bill.

Question

To remove scope from opportunistic lawyers, would he consider defining far more closely than he has done up to this point precisely what he means by “compelling reasons”?

Answer from Hilary Benn

That is no doubt an issue that the House will discuss as the Bill is considered in detail. I think that “compelling” and “essential” is a pretty high bar. It will be for the commission to interpret that, but no doubt we will continue to discuss it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Avoided providing a specific definition of 'compelling reasons'

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Q2 Paul Kohler Lib Dem Wimbledon
Northern Ireland Standards & Ethics
Context

The Secretary of State criticized the current Opposition's position regarding withdrawal from the European convention on human rights, highlighting Winston Churchill’s historic support for it.

Question

What assessment has his Department made as to the effect that ceasing to be a signatory of the ECHR would have on the Good Friday agreement, the Windsor protocol, the new legacy framework and Northern Ireland’s institutions in general?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The Government are absolutely committed to the European convention on human rights. I very much regret that the current Opposition have moved away from that historic support, which goes right back to Winston Churchill, as the hon. Member has set out. It is highly irresponsible to suggest picking away at one of the essential foundations of the Good Friday agreement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a detailed assessment of potential effects on agreements and frameworks in Northern Ireland

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Q3 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Veterans
Context

Yesterday, the Secretary of State highlighted protections for veterans in this legislation but did not answer whether the Attorney General had been excluded or recused. Today’s easier question asks about specific clauses.

Question

Given that yesterday the Secretary of State highlighted the protections for veterans in this legislation, could he tell the House which page, which clause or which line uses the word “veteran”?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The clauses that would implement the protections in relation to veterans and others are clauses 30, 31, 36, 51, 54, 56, 69 and 84.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify which of these clauses contain the word 'veteran'

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