Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023: Replacement

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

  • John Lamont questioned the Secretary of State about the implications of the new Northern Ireland Troubles Bill for veterans, suggesting it would force them to face court proceedings.
  • Gregory Stafford inquired about specific protections for veterans under the new legislation, focusing on whether these protections would also apply to paramilitaries.
  • Bob Blackman raised concerns over the potential negative impact of the bill on army recruitment, citing comments from Colonel Nick Kitson regarding recruitment morale.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 has been criticised for its impact on veterans.

Question

Yesterday the Secretary of State announced this Labour Government’s new Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. Despite all the justifications for the Bill, it still means one thing: veterans, many of whom are elderly, being dragged back through the courts. Does the Secretary of State think that is an acceptable way to treat those people who bravely served and defended our country?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The hon. Gentleman says “dragged back” to court. The only circumstances in which a veteran, or anyone else, appears in court is if they are charged with an offence. He will know perfectly well what the figures show about prosecutions in the 27 years since the Good Friday agreement. Here we are talking about coroners’ inquests. A small number will be restarted because they were already in train and were stopped by the last legacy Act. The rest will go into the sifting process governed by the Solicitor General. We think that we have a fair and reasonable framework that we will put in place to ensure that veterans are protected and properly looked after.

Partly answered

How: We Think That We Have A Fair And Reasonable Framework That We Will Put In Place To Ensure That Veterans Are Protected And Properly Looked After.

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Q2 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The Prime Minister assured the BBC that veterans would receive protections not afforded to paramilitaries.

Question

On 25 September, the Prime Minister assured the BBC that veterans would receive protections not afforded to paramilitaries, so can the Secretary of State confirm which of the statutory protections will apply solely to veterans? Or is it the case that they will also extend to paramilitaries?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

I will give the hon. Gentleman one example, which involves the representation of veterans on the statutory advisory group that will be established, drawing on the experience of Operation Kenova, allowing the voice of veterans to be heard. This will be covered by clause 8 of the legislation.

Partly answered

How: This Will Be Covered By Clause 8 Of The Legislation.

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Q3 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

Concerns have been raised about the impact of dragging veterans through legal processes on Army recruitment.

Question

One of the concerns around dragging veterans through lawfare and our courts is the effect on Army recruitment, so what is the Secretary of State’s reaction to Colonel Nick Kitson, the son of General Sir Frank Kitson, saying: ‘How can anyone volunteer to put their life on the line for a Government—indeed a nation—that does not have their back?’

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

I meet many cadets who are very keen to join the armed forces, and we should pay tribute to all who are offering their services to the nation in defence of the realm. We should not talk down the importance of that recruitment effort. If anybody looks in the round at what we are putting forward, they will think it is reasonable. I have met many veterans who argue—as the Veterans Commissioners have said—that they are not looking for immunity under the law, which is what the legacy Act gave; they are looking for fairness under it, and that is what we will provide.

Partly answered

How: I Meet Many Cadets Who Are Very Keen To Join The Armed Forces, And We Should Pay Tribute To All Who Are Offering Their Services To The Nation In Defence Of The Realm.

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