Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Troubles Legacy: Legislation 2026-07-08

Wednesday 8 July 2026 · 7 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are committed to reforming and replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles Act 2023 with a reformed Legacy Commission.
  • The resignation of the former Armed Forces Minister was due to differences over the bill's amendments.
  • The Government are considering Lib Dem amendments to ensure parliamentary scrutiny on decisions to block disclosure based on national security grounds.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 has been replaced by a new bill.

Question

What steps are being taken to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles Act 2023 with a reformed Legacy Commission? Is there a delay in bringing amendments due to personal statements made?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The Government are committed to the Troubles Bill, which includes a reformed Legacy Commission for investigations and information sharing with safeguards for veterans. The delay is not due to personal statements but rather to ensure the bill commands support across all communities in Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timing of amendments presentation was not addressed.

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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Northern Ireland
Context

There are concerns about the delays in addressing legacy issues and victims' rights.

Question

Will the Secretary of State bring forward the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill quickly to address decades-long waiting for resolution, focusing on victim's needs?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The Government are committed to reforming and replacing the 2023 Act with fair and reasonable protections for veterans, aiming to command support from all communities in Northern Ireland. The amendments will address the concerns of victims and survivors' organizations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or commitment beyond general intentions.

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Q3 Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The former Armed Forces Minister resigned citing the bill as unfit for purpose.

Question

Why did the former Armed Forces Minister resign over concerns that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill fails to protect veterans? Is cross-party support lacking in Northern Ireland and within Labour?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The resignation was due to differences over the amendments made. The 2023 Act lacked support from Northern Ireland political parties, victims' organizations, and Labour, necessitating reforms in the new Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why specific individuals resigned or their concerns directly.

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Q4 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Northern Ireland Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

There is lack of cross-party support for the bill.

Question

Given the former Armed Forces Minister's resignation, does the Secretary of State now accept that the Bill should not progress and revert to previous legislation?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The 2023 Act's immunity provisions were opposed by all Northern Ireland political parties, victims' organizations, and Labour. The Government will proceed with reforms as these have broad-based opposition.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm whether the bill should be abandoned or revert to previous legislation.

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Q5 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Northern Ireland Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The right hon. Member for Makerfield warned of the lack of proper scrutiny in national security decisions.

Question

Will the Secretary of State support a Lib Dem amendment to ensure parliamentary scrutiny on decisions to block disclosure based on national security grounds?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The Government are committed to maximum possible disclosure consistent with the requirement that falls on Ministers, but debate on amendments including Lib Dem proposals will occur during the Committee stage of the Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to supporting the specific amendment requested.

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Q6 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee raised concerns about Sir Declan Morgan's lack of access to unredacted intelligence materials from the Irish Government. The committee's chief operating officer also highlighted that no changes would be made in response to these requests.

Question

Given the legacy of our past, two Governments are involved. Was he concerned that Sir Declan Morgan shared his concern with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee about not having access to unredacted intelligence material from the Irish Government? There is nothing in the draft legislation or amendments that would change this situation. Is the Secretary State further concerned?

Answer from Hilary Benn

The right hon. Gentleman is referring to the position today in light of the Dillon judgment, and I agree with him that we need cooperation from the Irish Government in response to requests made by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to securing agreement from the Irish Government for Sir Declan Morgan's requirement

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Q7 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Northern Ireland
Context

The deadline for a remedial order to be put before the Lords by the end of June has passed, along with another deadline related to the Irish Government's European presidency. No summit is planned on 22 July.

Question

I want to hear from our Secretary of State full recognition that there is a deficit and Sir Declan needs access to unredacted material. Will the Secretary of State secure agreement from the Irish Government for this change? Also, no remedial order was put before the Lords by the end of June; with no progress before Ireland assumes the European presidency and no summit on 22 July, there is no chance that the Troubles Bill will become law in 2026.

Answer from Hilary Benn

The right hon. Gentleman makes a powerful argument that passing the troubles Bill will enable information sharing with Irish authorities, which is what both he and I want to see.

Not addressed: Did not address Sir Declan Morgan's need for unredacted material or progress on remedial orders

How: Changed The Subject

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