Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation

Wednesday 25 March 2026 · 10 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will establish a reformed, human rights compliant and independent legacy commission to investigate and provide family reports.
  • The Government has brought forward protections for veterans that were not present in the previous scheme.
  • Veterans welcome protections in the Bill, including the right to give evidence remotely and application for anonymity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 is being replaced with a new bill that aims to establish an independent legacy commission for investigations. The questioner seeks clarity on the steps taken by the government.

Question

What steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will establish a reformed, human rights compliant and independent legacy commission that will carry out investigations and provide family reports on behalf of families who have waited far too long for answers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timelines or details about the bill's implementation.

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Q2 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill was passed, removing protections from the previous act. The questioner is concerned about the lack of protections for veterans.

Question

Second Reading of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill took place on 18 November, and the remedial order, which removed the protections from the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, was passed on 21 January. How is that not a dereliction of duty?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The dates for Committee stage and for the next stage of the remedial order will be announced in the normal way. The scheme was never enacted and has never had effect, so the Government's actions have not changed this position. The Government has brought forward protections for veterans that were not contained in the 2023 legacy Act. Further proposals will be brought forward when Committee stage happens.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify specific protections or timelines.

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Q3 Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The questioner is concerned that Northern Ireland veterans are living in fear of vexatious claims, and the government is delaying legislation.

Question

That answer will be of very little comfort to Northern Ireland veterans across the country who are living in fear of vexatious claims. Why are the Government delaying bringing this legislation back to the House?

Answer from Hilary Benn

There is no such thing as a vexatious prosecution because independent prosecutors bring prosecutions for politically motivated reasons. The previous Government left 800 civil claims against the Ministry of Defence in place, and it is almost unknown for an individual veteran to be called to give evidence in such cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific issue of delaying legislation.

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Q4 Claire Hanna Social Democratic & Labour Party Belfast South and Mid Down
Northern Ireland Women & Equalities
Context

The questioner is concerned about the levels of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland, citing recent murders.

Question

One of the lingering legacies of violence in Northern Ireland is our outrageous and distressing levels of violence against women and girls. Is the Secretary of State confident that all possible levers are being used to tackle misogyny?

Answer from Hilary Benn

I join my hon. Friend in what she says about recent convictions and murders. Northern Ireland is the most dangerous part of the UK for women in terms of violence against them. In the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, we are closing a loophole allowing investigation of sexual-related offences during the troubles.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the confidence in tackling misogyny specifically.

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Q5 Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow
NHS Veterans
Context

The questioner is concerned about the health and wellbeing of veterans if they are required to give evidence.

Question

What reassurance can the Secretary of State give that the health and wellbeing of veterans will be taken into account?

Answer from Hilary Benn

We have made clear in the Bill's protections, including the right to give evidence remotely, application for anonymity, and no cold calling. Veterans welcome these protections that will be put in place.

Answered
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Q6 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

The questioner is concerned about the continuation of judicial reviews that continue for years after incidents, citing a specific case.

Question

In 1991, the SAS shot and killed three members of the IRA's East Tyrone Brigade. A judicial review was brought against these findings but it was thrown out by the High Court in Belfast. Why is this case continuing?

Answer from Hilary Benn

Any citizen has a right to bring a judicial review against any decision made. The original judge threw out the case as having no merit, and given the inquest found the use of force lawful, it is not surprising that this was thrown out.

Answered
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Q7 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

A case has arisen where veterans face vexatious litigation, with legal aid funding the challenges against them. The courts themselves have stated that some cases are ludicrous.

Question

Does this case not exemplify why the Government's solution is wrong? It reopens the door to vexatious litigation and pays for these challenges against our troops with taxpayers' money. Will they use this opportunity to think again and take a new approach that guarantees genuine protections?

Answer from Hilary Benn

There will be genuine protections, but legal aid in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Executive. The previous Government did not consider removing judicial review entirely. The argument that it should not apply in certain cases would face significant opposition.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifically avoided addressing the request to reconsider their approach and ensure genuine protections.

How: Legal Aid Is A Matter For The Northern Ireland Executive

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Q8 Paul Kohler Lib Dem Wimbledon
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Stakeholders, including victims and survivors of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, are seeking answers rather than retribution. They want a restorative justice pathway for reconciliation.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that restorative justice has an important role to play in reconciliation? Will he meet me to discuss supporting my amendments for a restorative justice pathway?

Answer from Hilary Benn

I am always happy to meet him and the House will have an opportunity to consider his amendments. Most victims are looking for answers, and part of the focus is on helping families find closure. Each family must find their own way to reconciliation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to meeting or supporting specific amendments.

How: It Is For Each Family To Find Its Own Way

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Q9 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Northern Ireland
Context

The Government promised to repeal and replace the legacy Act but have not done so. The Bill is delayed due to discord among government members, leaving victims seeking progress.

Question

What does he say to Northern Ireland victims who want to see progress? They were promised repeal and replacement of the legacy Act and legislation supported by all communities.

Answer from Hilary Benn

The Government are keen to progress this complex piece of legislation. It is fixing a mess left by the 2023 Act and we must ensure it gets right.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific plans or timelines for progress on the Bill.

How: It Is A Very Complex Piece Of Legislation

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Q10 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Policing & Resources Northern Ireland
Context

The PSNI has significant civil liability cases but no resources to progress. The Secretary of State has put in a claim for additional hundreds of millions for the legacy commission.

Question

Does he recognise there is a funding deficit within the PSNI? Will he similarly seek money for that?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The creation of the legacy commission transferred 1,000 cases from the PSNI to the commission. When these are investigated, disclosure will be required.

Not addressed: Did not acknowledge or address funding for PSNI civil liability cases.

How: The Legacy Commission Took Away 1,000 Cases From Psni

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