House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
18 November 2025 · Northern Ireland Office
Proposed by Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill aims to correct an erroneous interpretation of the Carltona principle regarding internment orders.
- Clauses 89 and 90 propose to clarify that interim custody orders made by Ministers or Under Secretaries are valid as if signed by the Secretary of State.
- The proposed changes seek to prevent compensation claims based on legal technicalities in cases like Gerry Adams'.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill's clauses aimed at correcting an erroneous interpretation of the Carltona principle regarding internment orders.
Action requested
Clauses 89 and 90 are proposed to clarify that interim custody orders made by Ministers or Under Secretaries of State are valid as if signed by the Secretary of State. This change aims to prevent compensation claims in cases like Gerry Adams' based on legal technicalities and ensure the law is treated as always having been correctly applied.
Key facts
- The Supreme Court ruled that internment orders made under the Carltona principle were unlawful in 2020.
- Clauses 89 and 90 of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill aim to correct this interpretation by treating orders made by Ministers or Under Secretaries as if signed by the Secretary of State.
- Compensation claims, such as Gerry Adams', would not be payable under these new clauses.